How far is North Chicago, IL from Bloomington, IL?
The driving distance from North Chicago, IL to Bloomington, IL is about 161.9 miles (260.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 140.6 miles (226.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 27m 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 43m.
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.
Town in Will County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Chicago and Bloomington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Chicago and Bloomington.
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1
Start on Fellows Place
667 ft · 32 sec · Fellows Place
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2
Turn right onto 18th Street
47 m · 10 sec · 18th Street
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3
Turn right onto Sheridan Road
2930 ft · 40 sec · Sheridan Road
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4
Continue on Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
1.4 km · 1 min · Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
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5
Turn right onto Buckley Road
3 mi · 5 min · Buckley Road
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6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 94 Toll East: Chicago
1998 ft · 52 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
11 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
22.7 mi · 29 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
108.7 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, Central Illinois Regional Airport
3.1 mi · 5 min
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15
Continue on North Veterans Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · North Veterans Parkway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 9 West: Pekin
731 ft · 22 sec
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17
Turn straight onto East Empire Street
1.6 mi · 4 min · East Empire Street
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18
Turn left onto North Clinton Street
1625 ft · 50 sec · North Clinton Street
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19
Turn right onto East Mulberry Street
1757 ft · 59 sec · East Mulberry Street
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20
Turn left onto North Prairie Street
84 m · 14 sec · North Prairie Street
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21
Turn right onto East Douglas Street
154 m · 24 sec · East Douglas Street
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22
Turn right onto North East Street
552 ft · 16 sec · North East Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North East Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Chicago 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 Sunny leaving North Chicago and Sunny near Bloomington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Chicago to Bloomington?
The road trip is about 161.9 miles (260.6 km) and usually takes 02h 43m 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 80.5 miles from North Chicago and 81.4 miles from Bloomington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140.6 miles (226.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.3 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 1:02 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.53 one way or $43.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around North Chicago and Sunny near Bloomington.
Stop Ideas Near Wilmington
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 Wilmington.
Joliet Transportation Center
Kankakee
Dwight station
Homewood
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Chicago and Bloomington. Straight-line distance: 140.55 mi (226.19 km).
#1 North Chicago
City and suburb of Chicago, Illinois, USA
| Population | 29,639 |
| Coordinates | 42.3255800, -87.8411800 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| 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: 261 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.53 | $43.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.28 | $48.57 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.57 | $53.15 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.29 | $60.57 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.