Origin
Alton, IL
Late night in Alton on Tuesday
Local time
3:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alton, IL to Bloomington, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 58m
Distance
151.2 mi
243 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 47m
★
6 AM
2h 58m
8 AM
3h 21m
10 AM
3h 6m
12 PM
3h 4m
3 PM
3h 7m
5 PM
3h 20m
8 PM
2h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alton, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Alton, IL to Bloomington, IL is 151 miles and takes about 2 hours 58 minutes via I 55 and State Route 140, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward trip between two familiar regions. Given the short duration and minimal stops, it's designed for efficiency, letting you get to your destination without a major time commitment. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so it's a good option if you want to cover ground quickly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.6 miles from Alton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 126 mi | 2h 15m |
| State Route 140 | 9.7 mi | 13m |
| College Avenue | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| South Veterans Parkway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| West Bethalto Drive | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| West MacArthur Drive | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| West Macarthur Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 126 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alton, IL and Bloomington, IL.
1
Start on Alby Street
190 ft
·
10 sec
·
Alby Street
2
Turn right onto East Broadway
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Broadway
3
Turn right onto US 67
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Piasa Street
4
Continue on US 67
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Luther King Drive
5
Turn right onto College Avenue
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
College Avenue
6
Turn right
67 ft
·
1 sec
7
Enter roundabout onto College Avenue
380 ft
·
9 sec
·
College Avenue
8
Continue on College Avenue
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
College Avenue
9
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Macarthur Drive
10
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West MacArthur Drive
11
Continue on IL 140
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West Bethalto Drive
12
Continue on IL 140
9.6 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 140
13
Continue on IL 140
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West State Street
14
Continue on IL 140
443 ft
·
13 sec
·
State Route 140
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
16
Merge onto I 55
97 mi
·
1 hr 44 min
·
I 55
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 Business
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Veterans Parkway
Exit 157A; 157B
Toward I 55 Business North, I 74 East: Indianapolis
19
Continue on I 55 Business
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South Veterans Parkway
Exit 157B
Toward I 55 Business North
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward US 51 Business
21
Turn left onto US 51 Business
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 51 Business
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South East Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
US 51 Business
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 3 hours, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You can depart any time of day and still arrive well before evening. Since there's only one recommended stop and the longest stretch is 126 miles on I 55, you can easily make it through without needing a break if you prefer. The fuel cost is estimated at $24, so factor that into your budget. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time at your destination in Bloomington.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.6 miles from Alton, IL, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 33 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.6 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bloomington, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alton, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alton, IL
This is one driving day of about 151.2 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Alton, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 126 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.6 miles from Alton, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 146.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Broadway
Turn right onto East Broadway
Navigation decision point
6
1.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
College Avenue
Enter roundabout onto College Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
20.3 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
7
117.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
|
I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
7
146.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
|
I 55 Business / South Veterans Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 Business / South Veterans Parkway toward I 55 Business North, I 74 East: Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 157A; 157B
Toward I 55 Business North, I 74 East: Indianap...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.64 one way
$47.28 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $25.95 | $51.91 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.10 | $58.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.38 | $66.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.88 | $7.26 |
| Efficient EV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.23 | $6.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.5 | 0 | $21.17 | $9.68 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Bloomington, IL
Late night in Bloomington on Tuesday
Local time
3:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Springfield, IL
76 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
15 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 58m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 91% highway, meaning you'll be on I 55 for the vast majority of the 151 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch on the interstate is 126 miles. You'll transition to surface roads, State Route 140 and College Avenue, for the final portion of the trip. Expect a consistent cruising speed for most of the drive, with the highway portion offering a straightforward path.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 126 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and State Route 140. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Broadway.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 151.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Broadway): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (College Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 20.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Starting in Alton, IL
Full guide →Founded 1818
Alton is a charming river town in Illinois just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri. Once a blue collar town of heavy manufacturing, Alton has transformed itself into a tourist destination and wedding and reception resort of the Midwest.
Top landmarks
- • Alton National Cemetery — United States National Cemetery located in the city of Alton, in Madison County,...
- • Alton Military Prison — prison located in Alton, Illinois
- • Upper Alton Historic District — historic district in Illinois, United States
Arriving in Bloomington, IL
Full guide →Bloomington, pop. 77,000 (2010 census), is a city in the Midwestern state of Illinois in the United States of America, on the classic Route 66 highway across the country. With neighboring Normal, pop. 52,000 (2010 census), it forms a combined community of about 130,000 known locally as the Twin Cities. Illinois Wesleyan University is in Bloomington, and is not to be confused with Illinois State University in Normal.
Top landmarks
- • David Davis Mansion — house museum in Bloomington, Illinois
- • Bloomington Central Business District — historic and central business district in Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois,...
- • George H. Miller House — Bloomington, Illinois, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 151.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 126 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Broadway): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (College Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 20.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bloomington, IL before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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