How far is Decatur, IL from Bristol, IL?

The driving distance from Decatur, IL to Bristol, IL is about 148.4 miles (238.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 130.4 miles (209.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
148.35 mi
03h 01m
Flight
130.44 mi
209.92 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Decatur.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
130.44 mi
Kilometers
209.92 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
148.35 mi
Kilometers
238.75 km
Drive Time
03h 01m

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 03h 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bristol
Thu, Apr 23, 12:57 AM CDT
Return by in Decatur
Thu, Apr 23, 3:59 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Decatur
2026-04-22T21:55
Arrive Bristol
Thu, Apr 23, 12:57 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:02 AM to 11:02 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:56 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Decatur
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Chenoa
IL

City in Illinois

From Decatur
74.2 mi
01h 30m
To Bristol
74.1 mi
01h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW
Destination
77°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Decatur and Bristol.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Decatur and Bristol.

  1. 1

    Start on East Wood Street

    155 m · 23 sec · East Wood Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Franklin Street

    2129 ft · 46 sec · South Franklin Street

  3. 3

    Continue on North Water Street

    27.4 mi · 37 min · North Water Street

  4. 4

    Continue on North 1450 East Road

    14.7 mi · 18 min · North 1450 East Road

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford

    64.9 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight

    1853 ft · 35 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left

    34.2 mi · 44 min

  8. 8

    Continue on South Bridge Street

    4.9 mi · 9 min · South Bridge Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Cannonball Trail

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Cannonball Trail

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cannonball Trail

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur and Bristol.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
10 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 74 West
64.9 mi · 44%
North Water Street
27.4 mi · 18%
North 1450 East Road
14.7 mi · 10%
South Bridge Street
4.9 mi · 3%
Cannonball Trail
1.37 mi · 1%
South Franklin Street
0.4 mi
Longest Stretch

I 74 West

Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford

64.9 mi · 01h 10m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18 mi
130.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chenoa
01h 30m from Decatur
Leave By
10:56 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny leaving Decatur and Sunny near Bristol.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Decatur to Bristol?

The road trip is about 148.4 miles (238.8 km) and usually takes 03h 01m 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?

Chenoa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.2 miles from Decatur and 74.1 miles from Bristol.

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

The direct path is about 130.4 miles (209.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 18 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 10:56 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.76 one way or $39.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny around Decatur and Sunny near Bristol.

Stop Ideas Near Chenoa

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Chenoa, 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 Chenoa.

RAIL

Pontiac station

17 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Uptown Station

34 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Dwight station

46 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Gilman

61 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Bristol. Straight-line distance: 130.44 mi (209.92 km).

Decatur

#1 Decatur

The most populous city in Macon County, Illinois.

Population70,007
Coordinates39.8403100, -88.9548000
Altitude205
CountryUnited States
Bristol

#2 Bristol

Township in Kendall County, Illinois

Population30,486
Coordinates41.6855900, -88.4281300
Altitude195
CountryUnited States
Start: Decatur (-88.9548, 39.84031)
End: Bristol (-88.42813, 41.68559)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 239 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.24 gal
19.82 L · about $19.76
Round trip
$39.52
10.48 gal · 39.64 L
Estimated CO2
46.6 kg one way
Round trip: 93.1 kg / 205 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.76 $39.52
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.29 $44.57
Premium $4.65 $24.39 $48.77
Diesel $5.30 $27.79 $55.59

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

There is no time difference between Decatur and Bristol. The current time is 21:55:14.

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.