How far is Des Plaines, IL from Bloomington, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Bloomington, IL is about 137.1 miles (220.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 121.6 miles (195.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 17m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Grundy County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Bloomington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Bloomington.
-
1
Start on Henry Avenue
557 ft · 25 sec · Henry Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana
2265 ft · 55 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
11.5 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
5
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
108.7 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, Central Illinois Regional Airport
3.1 mi · 5 min
-
11
Continue on North Veterans Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · North Veterans Parkway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 9 West: Pekin
731 ft · 22 sec
-
13
Turn straight onto East Empire Street
1.6 mi · 4 min · East Empire Street
-
14
Turn left onto North Clinton Street
1625 ft · 50 sec · North Clinton Street
-
15
Turn right onto East Mulberry Street
1757 ft · 59 sec · East Mulberry Street
-
16
Turn left onto North Prairie Street
84 m · 14 sec · North Prairie Street
-
17
Turn right onto East Douglas Street
154 m · 24 sec · East Douglas Street
-
18
Turn right onto North East Street
552 ft · 16 sec · North East Street
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North East Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Bloomington.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
109 mi · 02h 02m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely leaving Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines to Bloomington?
The road trip is about 137.1 miles (220.6 km) and usually takes 02h 17m 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?
Braceville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.2 miles from Des Plaines and 68.9 miles from Bloomington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 121.6 miles (195.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.5 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 1:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.25 one way or $36.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely around Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bloomington.
Stop Ideas Near Braceville
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 Braceville.
Dwight station
Kankakee
Joliet Transportation Center
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Bloomington. Straight-line distance: 121.58 mi (195.66 km).
#1 Des Plaines
The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 58,179 |
| Coordinates | 42.0333600, -87.8834000 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| 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: 221 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.25 | $36.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.58 | $41.17 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.53 | $45.05 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.67 | $51.34 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.