How far is Cairo, IL from Bloomington, IL?
The driving distance from Cairo, IL to Bloomington, IL is about 286.5 miles (461.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 240.6 miles (387.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 25m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Marion County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cairo and Bloomington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cairo and Bloomington.
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1
Start on Washington Avenue
94 m · 9 sec · Washington Avenue
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2
Continue on Sycamore Street
3 mi · 6 min · Sycamore Street
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3
Take the exit right toward I-57 North, US 51 North: Mount Vernon
2522 ft · 1 min
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4
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
93.9 mi · 1 hr 41 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
20.5 mi · 22 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
2199 ft · 54 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto West Main Street
2.4 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
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8
Continue on East Poplar Street
2.7 mi · 3 min · East Poplar Street
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9
Continue on Poplar
2.7 mi · 3 min · Poplar
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10
Turn right onto 150E
10.4 mi · 12 min · 150E
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11
Continue on 300E
13.5 mi · 15 min · 300E
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12
Turn left
2405 ft · 35 sec
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13
Turn right onto North Kennedy Boulevard
1.6 mi · 2 min · North Kennedy Boulevard
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14
Continue on County Road 875 East
11.1 mi · 13 min · County Road 875 East
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15
Continue on South Superior Street
15.1 mi · 17 min · South Superior Street
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16
Continue on County Road 2400 East
2 mi · 3 min · County Road 2400 East
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17
Continue on Fair Avenue
3070 ft · 2 min · Fair Avenue
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18
Continue on South Poplar Street
2138 ft · 32 sec · South Poplar Street
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19
Turn right onto East 1st Street
2150 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street
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20
Turn left onto Cedar Street
116 m · 5 sec · Cedar Street
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21
Turn right onto Jackson Street
2709 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street
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22
Continue on North 2600 East Road
1.6 km · 2 min · North 2600 East Road
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23
Turn left
28.7 mi · 33 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Decatur
2582 ft · 1 min
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25
Keep slight right to continue on Decatur
44 m · 4 sec
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26
Turn straight onto South Business Route 51
2.6 mi · 4 min · South Business Route 51
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27
Continue on South Main Street
769 ft · 19 sec · South Main Street
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28
Continue on South Franklin Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Franklin Street
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29
Continue on North Water Street
27.4 mi · 37 min · North Water Street
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30
Continue on North 1450 East Road
17.6 mi · 24 min · North 1450 East Road
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31
Continue on South East Street
2717 ft · 1 min · South East Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North East Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cairo and Bloomington.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ken Gray Expressway
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
93.9 mi · 01h 41m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Cairo and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Bloomington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cairo to Bloomington?
The road trip is about 286.5 miles (461.1 km) and usually takes 04h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Patoka is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131.4 miles from Cairo and 155.2 miles from Bloomington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 240.6 miles (387.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.12 one way or $76.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cairo and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Bloomington.
Stop Ideas Near Patoka
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Patoka.
Centralia station
Mt. Vernon, IL
Effingham
Du Quoin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cairo and Bloomington. Straight-line distance: 240.57 mi (387.16 km).
#1 Cairo
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,989 |
| Coordinates | 37.0053300, -89.1764600 |
| Altitude | 95 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bloomington
The second most populous city in McLean County, Illinois.
| Population | 77,132 |
| Coordinates | 40.4842000, -88.9936900 |
| Altitude | 243 |
| Country | United States |
End: North East Street (-88.993738, 40.484193)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 461 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.12 | $76.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.00 | $86.00 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.05 | $94.10 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.62 | $107.25 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.