TA
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Bloomington, IN to Monticello, IN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 48m
Distance
136.7 mi
220 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
5 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 38m
★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 11m
10 AM
2h 57m
12 PM
2h 54m
3 PM
2h 58m
5 PM
3h 10m
8 PM
2h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bloomington, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Monticello, IN
Giuseppe Di Maria
Trip Overview
Bloomington, IN to Monticello, IN is 136.7 miles and takes about 2h 48m via I 65 and I 69, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Indiana. With 76% of the drive on highways, expect a largely efficient transit with minimal delays. This is a straightforward, one-day excursion perfect for a quick getaway or a visit to family and friends.
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
68.4 miles from Bloomington, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 54 mi | 59m |
| I 69 | 38.2 mi | 42m |
| South 300 East | 9.8 mi | 13m |
| I 74 | 9.2 mi | 10m |
| North River Road | 7.2 mi | 12m |
| North Walnut Street | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| 65 | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| West 3rd Street | 3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 54 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington, IN and Monticello, 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 163
Toward 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 20
Toward I 65 North: Chicago
Use 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 141
Toward US 52 West
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
14
Merge onto I 65
36 mi
·
39 min
·
I 65
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 178
Toward SR 43: West Lafayette, Brookston
16
Keep slight right at fork
234 ft
·
5 sec
Toward SR 43: Battle Ground, Lake Shafer, Lake Freeman
17
Turn straight onto SR 43
7.2 mi
·
12 min
·
North River Road
18
Turn right onto SR 18
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
West 3rd Street
19
Turn left onto South 300 East
9.8 mi
·
13 min
·
South 300 East
20
Turn right onto US 24; US 421
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
US 24; US 421
21
Turn left onto US 24; SR 39
180 ft
·
11 sec
·
North Railroad Street East
22
Arrive at destination
US 24; SR 39
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 48m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Leaving Bloomington in the morning should allow ample time to reach Monticello with daylight to spare. The single suggested stop means you can be flexible with your timing, but it's wise to plan for a fuel stop, especially since the estimated fuel cost is $21. Consider breaking up the 54-mile stretch on I 65 with a brief stretch break if needed.
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 68.4 miles from Bloomington, IN, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54 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 30 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.4 miles or 1h 22m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monticello, 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 136.7 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 54 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.4 miles from Bloomington, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Lebanon Rest Area - I65 SB
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Speedco Indianapolis
0.8 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
0.9 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 43.6 and 113.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
6
113.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward SR 43: West Lafayette, Brookston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 178
Toward SR 43: West Lafayette, Brookston
6
113.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 43: Battle Ground, Lake Shafer, Lake Freeman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SR 43: Battle Ground, Lake Shafer, Lake...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.37 one way
$42.74 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.47 | $46.93 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.31 | $52.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.18 | $60.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
5 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Tesla Supercharger
Bloomington, Indiana
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Monticello, Indiana
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Bloomington, Indiana
EV Connect
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Bloomington, Indiana
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EVBOLT Charging Station
Bloomington, Indiana
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 2
Tesla: 1
EV Connect: 1
Other: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41 | 0 | $14.35 | $6.56 |
| Efficient EV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.96 | $5.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.7 | 0 | $19.14 | $8.75 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Origin
Bloomington, IN
Late night in Bloomington on Sunday
Local time
3:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Patchy Frost
WNW 6 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 9:53PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 9:53PM EDT until April 24 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Monticello, IN
Late night in Monticello on Sunday
Local time
3:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°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
35 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 48m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 76% of the route utilizing major roads like I 65 and I 69. You'll encounter a 54-mile stretch on I 65, offering sustained cruising. The highway portion likely features frequent exits, typical for interstate travel. Expect the transition to surface roads like South 300 East to occur after the main highway segments conclude.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 around 43.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 136.7 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: 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; at 58.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bloomington, IN and Monticello, IN, road signs point toward Brookston, Lake Shafer and Lake Freeman.
Brookston
113.6 mi in
|
~2h 11m
Lake Shafer
113.9 mi in
|
~2h 12m
Lake Freeman
113.9 mi in
|
~2h 12m
About the Cities
Starting in Bloomington, IN
Full guide →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.
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 48m. Total distance: 136.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54 miles on I 65. 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 Monticello, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 58.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Monticello, IN 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Monticello, IN
More trips to Monticello, IN
Explore more options from Bloomington, IN or browse trips ending in Monticello, IN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.