How far is Lake Bluff, IL from Bloomington, IL?

The driving distance from Lake Bluff, IL to Bloomington, IL is about 159.4 miles (256.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 137.8 miles (221.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 23m 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
159.39 mi
02h 41m
Flight
137.8 mi
221.77 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lake Bluff.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
137.8 mi
Kilometers
221.77 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
159.39 mi
Kilometers
256.51 km
Drive Time
02h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bloomington
Wed, Apr 22, 9:14 PM CDT
Return by in Lake Bluff
Wed, Apr 22, 11:56 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lake Bluff
2026-04-22T18:32
Arrive Bloomington
Wed, Apr 22, 9:14 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:42 AM to 12:42 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:06 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lake Bluff
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
Wilmington
IL

Town in Will County, Illinois, United States

From Lake Bluff
79.3 mi
01h 20m
To Bloomington
80.1 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NE
Destination
78°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Bluff and Bloomington.

  1. 1

    Start on East Center Avenue

    2714 ft · 1 min · East Center Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on West Scranton Avenue

    2778 ft · 1 min · West Scranton Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on Rockland Road

    3 mi · 6 min · Rockland Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 Toll East: Indiana

    1783 ft · 44 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    9.1 mi · 10 min · Tri-State Tollway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    22.7 mi · 29 min · Tri-State Tollway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

    1 km · 1 min

  10. 10

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

    2295 ft · 56 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway

    108.7 mi · 2 hr 2 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 · 55 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 Lake Bluff 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
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
109 mi · 68%
Tri-State Tollway
37.8 mi · 24%
I 55 Business South
3.14 mi · 2%
Rockland Road
2.98 mi · 2%
East Empire Street
1.59 mi · 1%
North Veterans Parkway
0.9 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.6 mi
137.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wilmington
01h 20m from Lake Bluff
Leave By
1:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Lake Bluff 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 Lake Bluff to Bloomington?

The road trip is about 159.4 miles (256.5 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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?

Wilmington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.3 miles from Lake Bluff and 80.1 miles from Bloomington.

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

The direct path is about 137.8 miles (221.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.6 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 1:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.19 one way or $42.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lake Bluff and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Bloomington.

Stop Ideas Near Wilmington

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

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

RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

25 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Kankakee

32 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Dwight station

34 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Homewood

49 mi away
18015 Park Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lake Bluff and Bloomington. Straight-line distance: 137.8 mi (221.77 km).

Lake Bluff

#1 Lake Bluff

Village in Illinois

Population5,524
Coordinates42.2789100, -87.8342400
Altitude201
CountryUnited States
Bloomington

#2 Bloomington

The second most populous city in McLean County, Illinois.

Population77,132
Coordinates40.4842000, -88.9936900
Altitude243
CountryUnited States
Start: East Center Avenue (-87.834242, 42.278718)
End: North East Street (-88.993738, 40.484193)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 257 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.62 gal
21.29 L · about $21.19
Round trip
$42.39
11.24 gal · 42.58 L
Estimated CO2
49.9 kg one way
Round trip: 99.9 kg / 220 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.19 $42.39
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.90 $47.80
Premium $4.65 $26.16 $52.31
Diesel $5.30 $29.81 $59.62

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between Lake Bluff and Bloomington. The current time is 18:32:57.

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.