Bloomington, IN to Kouts, IN is 189 miles and takes about 3h 41m via I 65 and I 69, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a single-day trip primarily within the Midwest region, connecting two points in Indiana. The majority of this route is on major interstate highways, making for efficient travel. You'll spend most of your time cruising along, so it's a good option if you want to get from point A to point B without a lot of fuss.
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
94.5 miles from Bloomington, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
105.3 mi
1h 54m
I 69
38.2 mi
42m
SR 49
9.3 mi
13m
I 74
9.2 mi
10m
County Road 1200
5 mi
6m
North Walnut Street
4.4 mi
6m
65
3.9 mi
4m
West State Road 10
3.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 105.3 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-465
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 33 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~5,271 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,189
Quietest
2 AM
~500 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 42 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington, IN and Kouts, IN.
1
Start on this road
99 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto South Indiana Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·South Indiana Avenue
3
Turn left onto East 7th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·East 7th Street
4
Turn right onto North Walnut Street
4.4 mi·6 min·North Walnut Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
6
Merge onto I 69
38 mi·42 min·I 69
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
1.4 mi·3 min
Exit 163Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
8
Merge onto I 74; I 465
9.2 mi·10 min·I 74; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto 65
3.9 mi·4 min·65
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 20Toward I 65 North: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 65
18 mi·19 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 52
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 52
Exit 141Toward US 52 West
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
14
Merge onto I 65
87 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 65
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 230Toward SR 10: Roselawn, DemotteUse the right lane.
16
Turn right onto SR 10
3.4 mi·4 min·West State Road 10
17
Continue on SR 110
2.5 mi·3 min·West State Road 110
18
Turn left onto US 231
1.6 mi·2 min·Madison Street
19
Continue on US 231
1.4 mi·1 min·County Road 550
20
Turn right onto SR 10
5.0 mi·6 min·County Road 1200
21
Continue on SR 10
0.5 mi·57 sec·Robbins Street
22
Turn left onto SR 49
9.3 mi·13 min·SR 49
23
Arrive at destination
SR 49
Trip Plan
Given this is a one-day drive of under 4 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Bloomington anytime in the morning should get you to Kouts with plenty of daylight to spare. The longest stretch without an exit is over 100 miles on I 65, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you hit that point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Kouts, as services might become less frequent off the main highway.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 94.5 miles from Bloomington, IN, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.3 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 42 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.5 miles or 1h 50m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kouts, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bloomington, IN 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, IN
This is one driving day of about 189 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Bloomington, IN.
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 65 for about 105.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 165 — 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|South Indiana Avenue
Turn right onto South Indiana Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
43.6 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 163
Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
6
54.2 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|65
Keep slight left at fork onto 65
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
58.1 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 20
Toward I 65 North: Chicago
8
165 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Take the exit toward SR 10: Roselawn, Demotte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 230
Toward SR 10: Roselawn, Demotte
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.91 one way
$55.82 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$30.81
$61.63
premium
$4.72
$35.09
$70.18
diesel
$4.80
$35.69
$71.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.7
0
$19.85
$9.07
Efficient EV
47.3
0
$16.54
$7.56
EV Truck/SUV
75.6
0
$26.46
$12.10
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Bloomington, IN
Morning
in Bloomington on Sunday
Local time
7:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 3 mph48% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:16PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Kouts, IN
Morning
in Kouts on Sunday
Local time
6:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Smoke
NNE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:16PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
84°F
Clermont, IN
95 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
5 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
3h 41m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Indiana Dunes National Park
National Park
Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
$20
near mile 189
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 86% of the drive taking place on interstates. You'll encounter a 105.3-mile stretch on I 65 without needing to exit. The final portion of the drive transitions to surface roads as you approach Kouts. Expect a relatively straightforward driving experience with minimal complex merging or urban traffic.
86% 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: 105.3 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Indiana Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 189 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Indiana Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 43.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.2 miles (65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
935 ft633 ft
Total Climb
418 ft
Total Descent
504 ft
Highest Point
935 ft
~67.5 mi in
Elevation Range
302 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bloomington, IN to Kouts, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Demotte along the way.
Demotte
165 mi in|~3h 6m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Bloomington is a city of 86,000 people (2019) in Southern Indiana. Bloomington is home to the flagship campus of Indiana University (IU) and therefore also the IU Hoosiers sports teams. As it is the largest city in the region, it serves as the de facto employment, service, and shopping center for several adjacent counties.
Top landmarks
•John L. Nichols House — house in Bloomington, Indiana
•Blair-Dunning House — Historic house in Indiana
•Vinegar Hill Historic District — Indiana historic district
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 41m. Total distance: 189 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.3 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Kouts, IN 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. There are 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Indiana Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 43.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.2 miles (65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Indiana Dunes National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Kouts, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
