How far is Shelby, IN from Bloomington, IN?

The driving distance from Shelby, IN to Bloomington, IN is about 169.7 miles (273.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 146.8 miles (236.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 02m 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
169.69 mi
03h 01m
Flight
146.81 mi
236.26 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Shelby.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
146.81 mi
Kilometers
236.26 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
169.69 mi
Kilometers
273.09 km
Drive Time
03h 01m

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 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bloomington
Fri, May 1, 12:57 PM EDT
Return by in Shelby
Fri, May 1, 2:58 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Shelby
2026-05-01T08:56
Arrive Bloomington
Fri, May 1, 11:57 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:01 AM to 12:01 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
10:58 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Shelby
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
Thorntown
IN

City in Boone County, Indiana, United States of America

From Shelby
86.3 mi
01h 30m
To Bloomington
83.4 mi
01h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NNW
Destination
59°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 10th Street

    5 m · 1 sec · 10th Street

  2. 2

    Turn slight left onto Shelby Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Shelby Road

  3. 3

    Continue on County Road 300 E

    2.7 mi · 5 min · County Road 300 E

  4. 4

    Turn left

    3.5 mi · 6 min

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right

    1472 ft · 37 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    100 mi · 1 hr 48 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    5.9 mi · 7 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 465 South

    1210 ft · 30 sec

  9. 9

    Continue on I 465 South

    1 km · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    13.7 mi · 16 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 69 South: Evansville

    1.3 km · 2 min

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    38.3 mi · 43 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward College Avenue, Walnut Street

    2423 ft · 59 sec

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto North Walnut Street

    3.2 mi · 5 min · North Walnut Street

  15. 15

    Continue on North College Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · North College Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto West 10th Street

    1851 ft · 55 sec · West 10th Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto North Dunn Street

    2227 ft · 1 min · North Dunn Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto East 4th Street

    115 m · 15 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 Shelby and Bloomington.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
20 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
County Road 300 E
109 mi · 64%
I 69 South
39.1 mi · 23%
I 465 South
14.6 mi · 9%
North Walnut Street
3.21 mi · 2%
Shelby Road
1.05 mi · 1%
North College Avenue
1.02 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

County Road 300 E

Merge slight left

100 mi · 01h 48m

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 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.9 mi
146.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Thorntown
01h 30m from Shelby
Leave By
10:58 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Shelby and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Bloomington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 169.7 miles (273.1 km) and usually takes 03h 01m 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?

Thorntown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.3 miles from Shelby and 83.4 miles from Bloomington.

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

The direct path is about 146.8 miles (236.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.9 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 10:58 AM 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.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Shelby and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Bloomington.

Stop Ideas Near Thorntown

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 Thorntown and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town of Mulberry - Town Hall & Municipal Utilities
Scenic stop 12.3 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 12.4 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 Thorntown.

BUS

Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana

26 mi away
1000 Smith Ave
RAIL

Crawfordsville

27 mi away
Spring and Green Streets
RAIL

Lafayette station

41 mi away
200 North 2nd St.
RAIL

Indianapolis Union Station

56 mi away
350 South Illinois Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Shelby and Bloomington. Straight-line distance: 146.81 mi (236.26 km).

Shelby

#1 Shelby

Census-designated place in Indiana, United States

Population2,737
Coordinates41.1953100, -87.3478100
Altitude195
CountryUnited States
Bloomington

#2 Bloomington

The most populous city in Monroe County, Indiana.

Population85,603
Coordinates39.1653300, -86.5263900
Altitude235
CountryUnited States
Start: Shelby Road (-87.347814, 41.195334)
End: South Indiana Avenue (-86.52691, 39.165322)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 273 km by road

SpeedTime
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 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.99 gal
22.67 L · about $22.59
Round trip
$45.18
11.98 gal · 45.34 L
Estimated CO2
53.2 kg one way
Round trip: 106.5 kg / 235 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound 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 Indiana · May 01, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Shelby, IN and Bloomington, IN. The current time in Shelby is 08:56:11, although it is 09:56:11 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.