How far is Lowell, IN from Bloomington, IN?

The driving distance from Lowell, IN to Bloomington, IN is about 178.9 miles (287.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 154.3 miles (248.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 18m 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
178.92 mi
03h 09m
Flight
154.29 mi
248.3 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lowell.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
154.29 mi
Kilometers
248.3 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.92 mi
Kilometers
287.94 km
Drive Time
03h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bloomington
Tue, May 26, 1:40 AM EDT
Return by in Lowell
Tue, May 26, 3:50 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lowell
2026-05-25T21:31
Arrive Bloomington
Tue, May 26, 12:40 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:09 AM to 12:09 PM EDT

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

Leave by
10:42 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lowell
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
Colfax
IN

Town in Perry Township, Clinton County, Indiana, United States

From Lowell
91 mi
01h 34m
To Bloomington
87.9 mi
01h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Memorial Day

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SSE
Destination
80°F
Memorial Day

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 6 mph ENE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lowell and Bloomington.

  1. 1

    Start on East Commercial Avenue

    1.5 mi · 4 min · East Commercial Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on East 181st Avenue

    4.6 mi · 7 min · East 181st Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward I 65 South: Indianapolis

    1314 ft · 32 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

    110.3 mi · 1 hr 59 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

  5. 5

    Keep slight left

    5.9 mi · 7 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 465 South

    1210 ft · 30 sec

  7. 7

    Continue on I 465 South

    1 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    13.7 mi · 16 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 69 South: Evansville

    1.3 km · 2 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    38.3 mi · 43 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward College Avenue, Walnut Street

    2423 ft · 59 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto North Walnut Street

    3.2 mi · 5 min · North Walnut Street

  13. 13

    Continue on North College Avenue

    2714 ft · 53 sec · North College Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left onto West 17th Street

    2175 ft · 49 sec · West 17th Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North Indiana Avenue

    2676 ft · 1 min · North Indiana Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto East 10th Street

    114 m · 16 sec · East 10th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto North Dunn Street

    2227 ft · 1 min · North Dunn Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto East 4th Street

    115 m · 13 sec · East 4th Street

  19. 19

    Turn straight

    30 m · 7 sec

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lowell 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
20 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
116 mi · 65%
I 69 South
39.1 mi · 22%
I 465 South
14.6 mi · 8%
East 181st Avenue
4.63 mi · 3%
North Walnut Street
3.21 mi · 2%
East Commercial Avenue
1.55 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

Merge slight left onto Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

110 mi · 01h 59m

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 09m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.6 mi
154.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Colfax
01h 34m from Lowell
Leave By
10:42 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Lowell and Partly Sunny near Bloomington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lowell to Bloomington?

The road trip is about 178.9 miles (287.9 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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?

Colfax is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91 miles from Lowell and 87.9 miles from Bloomington.

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

The direct path is about 154.3 miles (248.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:42 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.80 one way or $47.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.1 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Lowell and Bloomington, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lowell and Partly Sunny near Bloomington.

Stop Ideas Near Colfax

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Colfax and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town of Mulberry - Town Hall & Municipal Utilities
Scenic stop 8.1 mi away

Town of Mulberry - Town Hall & Municipal Utilities

Mulberry , IN
123 S Glick St, Mulberry, IN 46058, United States
Park,Municipal corporation,City or town hall,Public library,Water works
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 11.7 mi away

Darlington Municipal Utilities

Darlington , IN
222 W Main St, Darlington, IN 47940
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Colfax.

BUS

Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana

24 mi away
1000 Smith Ave
RAIL

Crawfordsville

26 mi away
Spring and Green Streets
RAIL

Lafayette station

32 mi away
200 North 2nd St.
RAIL

Indianapolis Union Station

65 mi away
350 South Illinois Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lowell and Bloomington. Straight-line distance: 154.29 mi (248.3 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Lowell

Town in Lake County, Indiana, United States

Population9,450
Coordinates41.2914200, -87.4205900
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Bloomington

#2 Bloomington

The most populous city in Monroe County, Indiana.

Population85,603
Coordinates39.1653300, -86.5263900
Altitude235
CountryUnited States
Start: East Commercial Avenue (-87.420588, 41.29139)
End: South Indiana Avenue (-86.52691, 39.165322)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 288 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.31 gal
23.9 L · about $23.80
Round trip
$47.59
12.62 gal · 47.8 L
Estimated CO2
56.1 kg one way
Round trip: 112.2 kg / 247 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.80 $47.59
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.84 $53.67
Premium $4.65 $29.37 $58.73
Diesel $5.30 $33.47 $66.94

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 Indiana · May 26, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Lowell, IN and Bloomington, IN. The current time in Lowell is 21:31:30, although it is 22:31:30 in Bloomington.

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.