Bloomington, IN to Lagrange, IN is 220 miles and takes about 4h 22m via I 69 and SR 9, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traveling entirely within Indiana. The route is mostly highway driving, making for a straightforward trip. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under five hours, this is a solid option for a single-day road trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
110 miles from Bloomington, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
171 mi
3h 9m
SR 9
14.2 mi
21m
Lima Road
13.5 mi
19m
SR 3
11.1 mi
14m
North Walnut Street
4.4 mi
6m
County Road 700 North
2.9 mi
4m
West North Street
1.6 mi
2m
East 7th Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 171 mi, about 3h 9m
Traffic on I-69
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 62 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,534 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,927
Quietest
2 AM
~198 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 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 Lagrange, 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
48 mi·53 min·I 69
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 69; I 465
12 mi·13 min·I 69; I 465
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
4.2 mi·5 min·I 69
Exit 37Toward I 69 North: Fort Wayne
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
107 mi·1 hr 55 min·I 69
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·41 sec
Exit 311BToward SR 3 North: Lima RoadUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto US 27
14 mi·19 min·Lima Road
12
Continue on SR 3
11 mi·14 min·SR 3
13
Turn left onto US 6
1.6 mi·2 min·West North Street
14
Continue on US 6
2.9 mi·4 min·County Road 700 North
15
Turn right onto SR 9
14 mi·21 min·SR 9
16
Turn right onto US 20
352 ft·15 sec·US 20
17
Turn left onto South Poplar Street
105 ft·4 sec·South Poplar Street
18
Arrive at destination
South Poplar Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 22m duration, leaving Bloomington in the morning allows ample time to reach Lagrange before evening. The drive is manageable enough for a single day, so you can be flexible with your departure time. Plan for your one recommended stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or where I 69 transitions to SR 9. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long stretch on I 69, as exits might be further apart in some sections.
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 110 miles from Bloomington, IN, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 171 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 48 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lagrange, 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 220 miles and 4h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 69 for about 171 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 176.3 — 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
5
5.4 mi into trip|~9m in|I 69
Merge onto I 69
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
65 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69 toward I 69 North: Fort Wayne
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 37
Toward I 69 North: Fort Wayne
6
69.2 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|I 69
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
176.3 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward SR 3 North: Lima Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 311B
Toward SR 3 North: Lima Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.49 one way
$64.98 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.87
$71.73
premium
$4.72
$40.85
$81.69
diesel
$4.80
$41.54
$83.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66
0
$23.10
$10.56
Efficient EV
55
0
$19.25
$8.80
EV Truck/SUV
88
1
$30.80
$14.08
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Bloomington, IN
Morning
in Bloomington on Sunday
Local time
6:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
W 9 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:55PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 4:47PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Lagrange, IN
Morning
in Lagrange on Sunday
Local time
6:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Partly Sunny
NW 15 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:55PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 4:47PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
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
3 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
4h 22m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 89% of the drive on major roads like I 69. You'll experience a long stretch of 171 miles on I 69 before transitioning to SR 9 and Lima Road. Expect the highway portion to feel consistent, with frequent exits. The final section on surface roads will likely offer a more rural cruising experience.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 171 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and SR 9. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Indiana Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
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 220 miles you will encounter 11 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 (South Indiana Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (I 69): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 4h 22m. Total distance: 220 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 171 miles on I 69. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 Lagrange, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Indiana Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (I 69): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Lagrange, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
