How far is Harvard, IL from Bloomington, IL?
The driving distance from Harvard, IL to Bloomington, IL is about 158.9 miles (255.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.3 miles (217.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 12m 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 36m.
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 LaSalle 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 Harvard and Bloomington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harvard and Bloomington.
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1
Start on North Division Street
2722 ft · 52 sec · North Division Street
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2
Turn right onto West Brink Street
12.4 mi · 18 min · West Brink Street
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3
Continue on State Route 173
5.6 mi · 8 min · State Route 173
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4
Continue on West Lane Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · West Lane Road
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5
Take the ramp right
2836 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
8.3 mi · 9 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 39, US 51 South: Bloomington
1.3 km · 53 sec
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8
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 2 min
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9
Keep slight right
119.5 mi · 2 hr 8 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
4.8 mi · 5 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 150, IL 9: Pekin
1964 ft · 46 sec
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12
Turn left onto West Market Street
2 mi · 5 min · West Market Street
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto North East Street
730 ft · 21 sec · North East Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North East Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Harvard 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.
I 39
Keep slight right
119 mi · 02h 08m
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.
Sunny leaving Harvard 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 Harvard to Bloomington?
The road trip is about 158.9 miles (255.8 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?
Meriden is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.3 miles from Harvard and 79.5 miles from Bloomington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.3 miles (217.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.6 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 1:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.16 one way or $42.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Harvard and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Bloomington.
Stop Ideas Near Meriden
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 Meriden.
Mendota station
Princeton
Plano
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Harvard and Bloomington. Straight-line distance: 135.34 mi (217.81 km).
#1 Harvard
Private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 8,979 |
| Coordinates | 42.4222400, -88.6137100 |
| Altitude | 292 |
| 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: 256 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.16 | $42.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.86 | $47.72 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.11 | $52.22 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.76 | $59.51 |
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.