Bloomington to Simonton Lake is 217 miles and takes about 4h 30m via North Meridian Street and I-69, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest route primarily travels north through Indiana, offering a straightforward path. With a 1-day recommendation, it's a manageable drive for most travelers. You'll spend about 37% of your time on highways, so expect a mix of faster travel and more local road cruising. This trip is well-suited for a single day, making it a convenient option for getting from point A to point B without needing an overnight stay.
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
108.5 miles from Bloomington, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Meridian Street
118.3 mi
2h 25m
I 69
59.6 mi
1h 7m
Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
12.9 mi
14m
Keystone Parkway
5 mi
7m
South Nappanee Street
4.8 mi
7m
North Walnut Street
4.4 mi
6m
Cassopolis Street
3.6 mi
5m
I 465
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
North Meridian Street
— 118.3 mi, about 2h 25m
Traffic on I-465
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,704 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~471 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 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 Simonton Lake, 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 left at fork onto I 465
0.3 mi·19 sec·I 465
9
Continue on I-465 WB
0.8 mi·56 sec·I-465 WB
10
Continue on I 465
2.6 mi·3 min·I 465
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 33Toward Keystone AvenueUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn right
172 ft·6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street, West 98th Street, East 96th StreetUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto North Keystone Avenue
0.3 mi·44 sec·North Keystone Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Enter roundabout
113 ft·6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
15
Continue
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
16
Keep slight left at fork
436 ft·11 sec
Toward Keystone Parkway
17
Merge onto Keystone Parkway
5.0 mi·7 min·Keystone Parkway
18
Merge onto US 31
118 mi·2 hr 25 min·North Meridian Street
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward US 20 East: Mishawaka, Elkhart
20
Merge onto US 20
13 mi·14 min·Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward SR 19 North: Elkhart
22
Turn straight onto SR 19
4.8 mi·7 min·South Nappanee Street
23
Continue on SR 19
1.7 mi·2 min·Bristol Street
24
Turn left onto SR 19
3.6 mi·5 min·Cassopolis Street
25
Arrive at destination
SR 19
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 30m estimated drive time, leaving Bloomington in the morning should allow you to reach Simonton Lake with plenty of daylight to spare. The route suggests only one stop, so plan for a break around the halfway point or when you transition from North Meridian Street to I-69. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the longer stretches, as services can be more spaced out on surface roads. The $34 fuel cost is an estimate, so checking local gas prices before you depart is always a good idea. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility to start later if needed.
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 108.5 miles from Bloomington, IN, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.3 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 48 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.5 miles or 2h 12m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Simonton Lake, 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 217 miles and 4h 30m.
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 North Meridian Street for about 118.3 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 68.7 and 69.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
68.7 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward Keystone Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 33
Toward Keystone Avenue
7
69.1 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Turn right toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street, West 98th Street, East 96th Street
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street...
7
69.2 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|North Keystone Avenue
Merge onto North Keystone Avenue
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
69.4 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Enter roundabout toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
6
69.7 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Keystone Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Keystone Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.05 one way
$64.09 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.38
$70.76
premium
$4.72
$40.29
$80.58
diesel
$4.80
$40.97
$81.95
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: 75.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.1
0
$22.79
$10.42
Efficient EV
54.3
0
$18.99
$8.68
EV Truck/SUV
86.8
1
$30.38
$13.89
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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
Afternoon
in Bloomington on Sunday
Local time
1:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
W 9 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:15PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 4:54PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Simonton Lake, IN
Afternoon
in Simonton Lake on Sunday
Local time
1:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Areas Of Smoke
N 5 to 15 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:15PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 4:54PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
84°F
Cicero, IN
109 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
31 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 30m 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?
Expect to spend roughly 37% of your 4h 30m drive on highways, with the remaining portion on surface roads. You'll encounter your longest stretch of continuous driving for 118.3 miles on North Meridian Street before transitioning to highway travel. As you move from surface roads to the interstate, anticipate merging onto I-69 and later the Saint Joseph Valley Parkway, which will feel like a significant shift in driving pace and exit density.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.3 mi on North Meridian Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 68.7 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 217 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 68.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.2 miles (North Keystone Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
910 ft595 ft
Total Climb
464 ft
Total Descent
448 ft
Highest Point
910 ft
~77.5 mi in
Elevation Range
315 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 Simonton Lake, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Elkhart along the way.
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 30m. Total distance: 217 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.3 miles on North Meridian Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Simonton Lake, 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 68.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.2 miles (North Keystone Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Simonton Lake, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
