If you are looking for a straightforward getaway within Indiana, this 82.6-mile journey from Bloomington to Madison is a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 1 minute behind the wheel, making it an efficient trip that doesn't require an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. With fuel costs estimated at around $13, it remains a budget-friendly way to cross the Midwest. You will primarily navigate via SR 46, SR 3, and SR 7 as you transition between these two distinct Indiana locales. Given the relatively short duration, this route offers a practical balance for travelers who want to maximize their time at the destination rather than spending the day on the road.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.3 miles from Bloomington, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
SR 46
37.6 mi
52m
SR 3
20.2 mi
30m
SR 7
18.6 mi
28m
East 3rd Street
2.6 mi
3m
Cragmont Street
1.7 mi
2m
East Atwater Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
West Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Jackson Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
SR 46
— 37.6 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington, IN and Madison, IN.
1
Start on this road
99 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Continue on East 4th Street
379 ft·20 sec·East 4th Street
3
Turn left onto South Dunn Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·South Dunn Street
4
Continue on East Atwater Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·East Atwater Avenue
5
Turn left onto South Mitchell Street
438 ft·9 sec·South Mitchell Street
6
Turn right onto East 3rd Street
2.6 mi·3 min·East 3rd Street
7
Continue on SR 46
15 mi·16 min·SR 46
8
Continue on SR 46; SR 135
23 mi·35 min·SR 46; SR 135
9
Continue on SR 7
18 mi·28 min·SR 7
10
Turn slight left onto SR 3; SR 7
286 ft·4 sec·One Street
11
Continue on SR 3; SR 7
0.2 mi·14 sec·Jackson Street
12
Turn straight onto SR 3; SR 7
0.3 mi·27 sec·SR 3; SR 7
13
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 3; SR 7
20 mi·29 min·SR 3; SR 7
14
Turn slight right onto SR 7
425 ft·7 sec·SR 7
15
Turn right onto SR 7
1.7 mi·2 min·Cragmont Street
16
Turn left onto SR 56
0.7 mi·1 min·West Main Street
17
Turn right onto West Street
184 ft·9 sec·West Street
18
Turn left
71 ft·5 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip with zero mandatory stops, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than a rigid itinerary. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to ensure you maintain that 2-hour and 1-minute estimated travel time without unexpected congestion. Keep in mind that since the route is primarily highway-based, your fuel consumption should remain steady, staying close to the $13 estimate if you maintain a consistent speed. Because there are no designated stops on this 82.6-mile stretch, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Bloomington so you don't have to detour for gas. Utilizing the 37.6-mile stretch on SR 46 allows you to settle into a comfortable driving rhythm early on.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.3 miles from Bloomington, IN, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.6 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.3 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madison, 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 82.6 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Bloomington, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on SR 46 for about 37.6 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 81.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South Dunn Street
Turn left onto South Dunn Street
Navigation decision point
4
1 mi into trip|~2m in|South Mitchell Street
Turn left onto South Mitchell Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|East 3rd Street
Turn right onto East 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
4
60.2 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|SR 3; SR 7
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 3; SR 7
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
81.9 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|SR 56 / West Main Street
Turn left onto SR 56 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.91 one way
$25.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.18
$28.36
premium
$4.89
$15.90
$31.79
diesel
$5.61
$18.24
$36.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.8
0
$8.67
$3.96
Efficient EV
20.7
0
$7.23
$3.30
EV Truck/SUV
33
0
$11.56
$5.29
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Bloomington, IN
Late night
in Bloomington on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Madison, IN
Late night
in Madison on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Columbus, IN
41 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 1m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of your time spent on main roads that facilitate steady progress. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 37.6 miles while traveling along SR 46, which sets the tone for the majority of the journey. Because this is a high-speed route, the drive feels consistent and direct rather than winding or technical. You can expect a predictable experience behind the wheel, as the infrastructure is designed to keep you moving efficiently toward the Ohio River region. The transition between these specific state roads keeps the navigation simple while providing a reliable pace for the entire 82.6-mile distance.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.6 mi on SR 46.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SR 46 and SR 3. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Dunn Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 1m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Dunn Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (South Mitchell Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (East 3rd Street): Navigation decision point.
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.
Madison is a city along the Ohio River in Southern Indiana. Madison is surrounded by scenic limestone bluffs. The hills are tree-covered and the farmlands are fertile. Many of the grand homes and historic commercial buildings are still in use. The past co-exists with the present in perfect harmony.
Jefferson County is home to one of Indiana’s most beautiful state parks, Clifty Falls. This lush 1200-acre park offers scenic vista, four waterfalls and many hiking trails. Southern Indiana is also a nationally recognized wine region and three award-winning wineries are located within Jefferson County. Madison is also known as an antique mecca in the Midwest. Numerous specialty shops, unique restaurants and quaint B&Bs complement the historic downtown.
The longest stretch is about 37.6 miles on SR 46. 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: at 0.1 miles (South Dunn Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (South Mitchell Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (East 3rd Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Madison, IN before heading back.
