How far is Chicago, IL from Bloomington, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Bloomington, IL is about 136.1 miles (219 km), with a travel time of about 02h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 117.4 miles (189 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
136.08 mi
02h 13m
Flight
117.43 mi
188.98 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chicago.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
117.43 mi
Kilometers
188.98 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
136.08 mi
Kilometers
219 km
Drive Time
02h 13m

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 02h 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bloomington
Tue, May 12, 6:37 PM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Tue, May 12, 8:51 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-05-12T16:23
Arrive Bloomington
Tue, May 12, 6:37 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:14 AM to 12:14 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:02 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chicago
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Gardner
IL

Village in Illinois, United States

From Chicago
66.1 mi
01h 06m
To Bloomington
70 mi
01h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Tuesday

Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph SSW
Destination
80°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 23 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Bloomington.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Bloomington.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    943 ft · 1 min

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Cermak Road

    947 ft · 26 sec · West Cermak Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Halsted Street

    737 ft · 17 sec · South Halsted Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue

    87 m · 6 sec · South Canalport Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn slight right

    34 m · 5 sec

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight toward I 90 East, I 94 East

    139 m · 11 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive

    1820 ft · 44 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: St Louis

    2604 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Stevenson Expressway

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Stevenson Expressway

  10. 10

    Continue on Adlai E Stevenson Expressway

    1739 ft · 27 sec · Adlai E Stevenson Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Adlai Stevenson Expressway

    118 mi · 2 hr 15 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, Central Illinois Regional Airport

    3.1 mi · 5 min

  13. 13

    Continue on North Veterans Parkway

    1.4 km · 2 min · North Veterans Parkway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 9 West: Pekin

    731 ft · 22 sec

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto East Empire Street

    1.6 mi · 4 min · East Empire Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto North Clinton Street

    1625 ft · 50 sec · North Clinton Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Mulberry Street

    1757 ft · 59 sec · East Mulberry Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North Prairie Street

    84 m · 14 sec · North Prairie Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto East Douglas Street

    154 m · 24 sec · East Douglas Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto North East Street

    552 ft · 16 sec · North East Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North East Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Bloomington.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
118 mi · 87%
Stevenson Expressway
5.61 mi · 4%
I 55 Business South
3.14 mi · 2%
East Empire Street
1.59 mi · 1%
North Veterans Parkway
0.9 mi · 1%
I 55 South
0.49 mi
Longest Stretch

Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Continue on Adlai Stevenson Expressway

118 mi · 02h 15m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 13m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.7 mi
117.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gardner
01h 06m from Chicago
Leave By
2:02 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bloomington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Bloomington?

The road trip is about 136.1 miles (219 km) and usually takes 02h 13m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Gardner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.1 miles from Chicago and 70 miles from Bloomington.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 117.4 miles (189 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:02 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.10 one way or $36.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely around Chicago and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bloomington.

Stop Ideas Near Gardner

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Gardner, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gardner.

RAIL

Dwight station

14 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Kankakee

38 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

42 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Pontiac station

44 mi away
721 West Washington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Bloomington. Straight-line distance: 117.43 mi (188.98 km).

Chicago

#1 Chicago

The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.

Population2,677,643
Coordinates41.850033, -87.6500523
Altitude179
CountryUnited States
Bloomington

#2 Bloomington

The second most populous city in McLean County, Illinois.

Population77,132
Coordinates40.4842000, -88.9936900
Altitude243
CountryUnited States
Start: (-87.650099, 41.850032)
End: North East Street (-88.993738, 40.484193)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 219 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.8 gal
18.18 L · about $18.10
Round trip
$36.20
9.6 gal · 36.36 L
Estimated CO2
42.7 kg one way
Round trip: 85.3 kg / 188 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.10 $36.20
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.41 $40.83
Premium $4.65 $22.34 $44.68
Diesel $5.30 $25.46 $50.92

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 · May 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Chicago and Bloomington. The current time is 16:23:54.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.