How far is Lena, IL from Bloomington, IL?
Fastest route
The route from Lena, Illinois 61048 to Bloomington, Illinois is approximately 2 hours and 33 minutes long, covering a distance of 174 miles via US-20 E and I-39 S.
Directions
- Head southeast on W Lena St toward N Schuyler St.
- Continue onto W Galena Rd.
- Take I-39 S/US-51 S to IL-9 E/US-150 E/W Market St in Bloomington. Take exit 160 from I-55 S.
- Keep right to stay on US-20 E.
- Take the US-51 S/I-39 exit toward Bloomington Normal.
- Continue onto I-39 S/US-51 S.
- Keep right at the fork and merge onto I-55 S. Take exit 160 for US-150/IL-9/Market Street toward Pekin.
- Follow W Market St to N East St.
- Turn left onto IL-9 E/US-150 E/W Market St.
- Continue to follow W Market St. Pass by Taco Bell (on the right in 0.7 mi).
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Make sure to start on W Lena St and head southeast on the correct route.
- 🛣️ Follow the signs to stay on US-20 E and later merge onto I-39 S/US-51 S.
- ⚠️ Pay attention to the exit numbers and take exit 160 for US-150/IL-9/Market Street.
- 🚦 When reaching Bloomington, follow W Market St and keep an eye out for N East St.
- 📱 Consider using a navigation app or GPS device for real-time traffic updates and to ensure accuracy.
- ⛽ It's always a good idea to have enough fuel for the journey, so consider refueling before setting off.
- 🕑 Allow extra time for possible delays or heavy traffic, especially during peak hours.
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 47m.
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.
Village in Illinois, United States
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 Lena and Bloomington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lena and Bloomington.
-
1
Start on West Lena Street
28 m · 4 sec · West Lena Street
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2
Turn right onto North Schuyler Street
1 km · 56 sec · North Schuyler Street
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3
Continue on IL 73
1 mi · 2 min · IL 73
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4
Turn left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
25.4 mi · 31 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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5
Continue on West State Road
9.8 mi · 11 min · West State Road
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6
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
11.3 mi · 13 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
-
7
Take the exit slight right
1.2 km · 2 min
-
8
Merge slight right
118.2 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
4.8 mi · 5 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 150, IL 9: Pekin
1964 ft · 46 sec
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11
Turn left onto West Market Street
2 mi · 5 min · West Market Street
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto North East Street
730 ft · 21 sec · North East Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North East Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lena 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.
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Merge slight right
118 mi · 02h 07m
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 Lena 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 Lena to Bloomington?
The road trip is about 173.9 miles (279.8 km) and usually takes 02h 47m 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?
Compton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.3 miles from Lena and 86.6 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 36.1 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 12:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.12 one way or $46.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lena and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Bloomington.
Stop Ideas Near Compton
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 Compton.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lena and Bloomington. Straight-line distance: 137.8 mi (221.77 km).
#1 Lena
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 2,680 |
| Coordinates | 42.3794600, -89.8223400 |
| Altitude | 289 |
| 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: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.12 | $46.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.07 | $52.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.53 | $57.06 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.51 | $65.03 |
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.