How far is River Forest, IL from Bloomington, IL?
The driving distance from River Forest, IL to Bloomington, IL is about 131.3 miles (211.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115.3 miles (185.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 31m 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 15m.
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 River Forest and Bloomington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between River Forest and Bloomington.
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1
Start on Augusta Street
97 m · 18 sec · Augusta Street
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2
Turn left onto Lathrop Avenue
1.3 mi · 4 min · Lathrop Avenue
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Madison Street
52 m · 9 sec · Madison Street
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4
Turn right onto Des Plaines Avenue
2198 ft · 1 min · Des Plaines Avenue
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5
Take the ramp right toward I 290 West: Eisenhower Expressway
925 ft · 25 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Eisenhower Expressway
4.5 mi · 6 min · Eisenhower Expressway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 South: Joliet
1.2 km · 56 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
8.6 mi · 11 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
1453 ft · 36 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Joliet Road South
1965 ft · 48 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
706 ft · 17 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
100.9 mi · 1 hr 51 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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15
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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16
Continue on North Veterans Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · North Veterans Parkway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward IL 9 West: Pekin
731 ft · 22 sec
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18
Turn straight onto East Empire Street
1.6 mi · 4 min · East Empire Street
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19
Turn left onto North Clinton Street
1625 ft · 50 sec · North Clinton Street
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20
Turn right onto East Mulberry Street
1757 ft · 59 sec · East Mulberry Street
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21
Turn left onto North Prairie Street
84 m · 14 sec · North Prairie Street
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22
Turn right onto East Douglas Street
154 m · 24 sec · East Douglas Street
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23
Turn right onto North East Street
552 ft · 16 sec · North East Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North East Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between River Forest 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
101 mi · 01h 51m
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 River Forest 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 River Forest to Bloomington?
The road trip is about 131.3 miles (211.3 km) and usually takes 02h 15m 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?
Gardner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.8 miles from River Forest and 65.5 miles from Bloomington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115.3 miles (185.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 16 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 1:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.46 one way or $34.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around River Forest and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Bloomington.
Stop Ideas Near Gardner
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 Gardner.
Dwight station
Kankakee
Joliet Transportation Center
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between River Forest and Bloomington. Straight-line distance: 115.33 mi (185.61 km).
#1 River Forest
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 10,694 |
| Coordinates | 41.8978100, -87.8139500 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| 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: 211 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.46 | $34.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.69 | $39.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.55 | $43.10 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.56 | $49.12 |
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.