Origin
Bloomington, IL
Late night in Bloomington on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bloomington, IL to Lower West Side, 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 36m
Distance
130.8 mi
211 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 26m
★
6 AM
2h 37m
8 AM
2h 58m
10 AM
2h 44m
12 PM
2h 42m
3 PM
2h 45m
5 PM
2h 57m
8 PM
2h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lower West Side, IL
Quang Vuong
Trip Overview
Bloomington, IL to Lower West Side, IL is 130.8 miles and takes about 2h 36m via I 55, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, specifically within Illinois, making it a straightforward journey. The route is predominantly highway-focused, meaning you'll experience consistent speeds for most of the drive. Given its relatively short duration and manageable fuel cost, it's an ideal candidate for a same-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. Consider this an efficient way to cover ground between these two points without extensive planning.
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
65.4 miles from Bloomington, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 121.1 mi | 2h 17m |
| Stevenson Expressway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| North Main Street | 3.6 mi | 8m |
| South Damen Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Blue Island Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Ashland Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North East Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 21st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 121.1 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington, IL and Lower West Side, IL.
1
Start on US 51 Business
136 ft
·
5 sec
·
North East Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on US 51 Business
3.6 mi
·
8 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 55
121 mi
·
2 hr 17 min
·
I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 55
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 290
Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward Damen Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
440 ft
·
12 sec
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Use the left lane.
9
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Damen Avenue
10
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Blue Island Avenue
11
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
36 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Cermak Road
12
Turn left onto South Ashland Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
South Ashland Avenue
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto West 21st Street
104 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 21st Street
14
Arrive at destination
West 21st Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just under 3 hours and a fuel cost estimated at $20, this route offers considerable flexibility. You could comfortably depart mid-morning and still arrive with plenty of daylight remaining. Since the longest stretch on I 55 is over 121 miles, plan for a single fuel or rest stop if needed, though it might not be strictly necessary given the total duration. The 95% highway share means you can maintain a steady pace, but be prepared for potential traffic on the Stevenson Expressway as you approach your destination, especially during peak hours. A practical tip is to check local traffic conditions before you leave Bloomington, as this can help you anticipate any slowdowns on the expressway.
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 65.4 miles from Bloomington, IL, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.1 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 29 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.4 miles or 1h 19m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lower West Side, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bloomington, 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 Bloomington, IL
This is one driving day of about 130.8 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Bloomington, 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 121.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 65.4 miles from Bloomington, 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 121.1 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 85 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 130.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 55 North: Chicago
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
128.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 290
Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
8
129 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Damen Avenue
9
129.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
6
130.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
|
South Ashland Avenue
Turn left onto South Ashland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.45 one way
$40.90 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.45 | $44.90 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.17 | $50.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.88 | $57.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.2 | 0 | $13.73 | $6.28 |
| Efficient EV | 32.7 | 0 | $11.45 | $5.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.3 | 0 | $18.31 | $8.37 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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
Lower West Side, IL
Late night in Lower West Side on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 36m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 126.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 95% of this route, primarily utilizing I 55 and the Stevenson Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 121.1 miles on I 55, indicating a significant portion of the journey will be at highway speeds. This means consistent progress is likely, with fewer opportunities for spontaneous detours off the main path. While the profile is largely highway, be aware that transitions onto and off the expressway, especially near your destination, may involve navigating local roads like North Main Street. This blend suggests a mostly swift drive with a brief introduction to surface streets at the end.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 121.1 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Stevenson Expressway. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 130.8 miles you will encounter 8 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: at 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 128.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting 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 36m. Total distance: 130.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 121.1 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lower West Side, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 128.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lower West Side, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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