How far is Salem, IL from Bloomington, IL?
The driving distance from Salem, IL to Bloomington, IL is about 169.6 miles (273 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.4 miles (206.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 10m 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 35m.
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.
City in Christian County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salem and Bloomington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem and Bloomington.
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1
Start on South Broadway
10 m · 8 sec · South Broadway
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2
Turn left onto West Main Street
3.7 mi · 6 min · West Main Street
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3
Continue on East Poplar Street
2.7 mi · 3 min · East Poplar Street
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4
Continue on Poplar
2.7 mi · 3 min · Poplar
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5
Turn right onto 150E
10.4 mi · 12 min · 150E
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6
Continue on 300E
13.5 mi · 15 min · 300E
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7
Turn left
2405 ft · 35 sec
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8
Turn right onto North Kennedy Boulevard
1.6 mi · 2 min · North Kennedy Boulevard
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9
Continue on County Road 875 East
11.1 mi · 13 min · County Road 875 East
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10
Continue on South Superior Street
15.1 mi · 17 min · South Superior Street
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11
Continue on County Road 2400 East
2 mi · 3 min · County Road 2400 East
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12
Continue on Fair Avenue
3070 ft · 2 min · Fair Avenue
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13
Continue on South Poplar Street
2138 ft · 32 sec · South Poplar Street
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14
Turn right onto East 1st Street
2150 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street
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15
Turn left onto Cedar Street
116 m · 5 sec · Cedar Street
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16
Turn right onto Jackson Street
2709 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street
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17
Continue on North 2600 East Road
1.6 km · 2 min · North 2600 East Road
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18
Turn left
28.7 mi · 33 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Decatur
2582 ft · 1 min
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Decatur
44 m · 4 sec
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21
Turn straight onto South Business Route 51
2.6 mi · 4 min · South Business Route 51
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22
Continue on South Main Street
769 ft · 19 sec · South Main Street
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23
Continue on South Franklin Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Franklin Street
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24
Continue on North Water Street
27.4 mi · 37 min · North Water Street
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25
Continue on North 1450 East Road
17.6 mi · 24 min · North 1450 East Road
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26
Continue on South East Street
2717 ft · 1 min · South East Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North East Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Bloomington.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Longest stretch
Turn left
28.7 mi · 00h 33m
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.
Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Salem 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 Salem to Bloomington?
The road trip is about 169.6 miles (273 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?
Assumption is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.8 miles from Salem and 96.9 miles from Bloomington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.4 miles (206.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.2 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 1:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.59 one way or $45.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms around Salem and Partly Sunny near Bloomington.
Stop Ideas Near Assumption
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 Assumption.
Mattoon station
Springfield station
Effingham
Lincoln
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Bloomington. Straight-line distance: 128.34 mi (206.55 km).
#1 Salem
City in Illinois
| Population | 6,952 |
| Coordinates | 38.6269900, -88.9456200 |
| Altitude | 165 |
| 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: 273 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.59 | $45.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.48 | $50.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.88 | $55.75 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.77 | $63.54 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.