Origin
Decatur, IN
Night in Decatur on Saturday
Local time
10:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Decatur, IN to Bloomington, IN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
172.4 mi
277 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 13m
★
6 AM
3h 25m
8 AM
3h 49m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 31m
3 PM
3h 35m
5 PM
3h 48m
8 PM
3h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Decatur, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Bloomington, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 172.4-mile drive from Decatur, IN to Bloomington, IN is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-69, which makes up about 59% of the journey, offering a direct path through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, this route is quite budget-friendly for a single day's travel. The drive offers a mixed experience, suitable for those looking for a straightforward journey without needing an overnight stop. It's a practical choice for a quick getaway or a visit to a different part of Indiana.
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
86.2 miles from Decatur, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69 | 101 mi | 1h 53m |
| West Votaw Street | 18.2 mi | 20m |
| South Harrison Street | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| North 13th Street | 12.6 mi | 14m |
| East McGalliard Road | 10.2 mi | 15m |
| West State Street | 9.2 mi | 11m |
| North Walnut Street | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| North College Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 101 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur, IN and Bloomington, IN.
1
Start on US 224
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
West Monroe Street
2
Turn left onto US 27; US 33
13 mi
·
14 min
·
North 13th Street
3
Continue on US 27
15 mi
·
17 min
·
South Harrison Street
4
Turn right onto SR 26; SR 67
18 mi
·
20 min
·
West Votaw Street
5
Continue on SR 28; SR 67
9.2 mi
·
11 min
·
West State Street
6
Turn right onto East McGalliard Road
10 mi
·
15 min
·
East McGalliard Road
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
8
Merge onto I 69
39 mi
·
42 min
·
I 69
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 69
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 69
22 mi
·
25 min
·
I 69
Exit 200
Toward I 465 South, I 69 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
39 mi
·
44 min
·
I 69
Exit 5
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward College Avenue, Walnut Street
13
Turn straight onto North Walnut Street
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
North Walnut Street
14
Continue on North College Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North College Avenue
15
Turn left onto West 10th Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
West 10th Street
16
Turn right onto North Dunn Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Dunn Street
17
Turn left onto East 4th Street
379 ft
·
15 sec
·
East 4th Street
18
Turn straight
99 ft
·
7 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 24-minute duration, starting your journey from Decatur in the morning is ideal to maximize your time in Bloomington. You'll have one main stretch of 101 miles on I-69, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. While only one stop is indicated, you might want to take an extra break during that long highway segment. The $27 fuel cost suggests you won't need to worry too much about frequent fill-ups, but it's always wise to have a half-tank buffer. Pay attention as you transition off I-69, as the roads will change leading into Bloomington.
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 86.2 miles from Decatur, IN, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101 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 38 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.2 miles or 1h 43m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bloomington, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Decatur, 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 Decatur, IN
This is one driving day of about 172.4 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Decatur, 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 101 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.2 miles from Decatur, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 69 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 28.1 and 166.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
28.1 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
SR 26; SR 67 / West Votaw Street
Turn right onto SR 26; SR 67 / West Votaw Street
Navigation decision point
6
104.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
|
I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
105.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
I 69
Continue onto I 69 toward I 465 South, I 69 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 200
Toward I 465 South, I 69 South
8
127.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
|
I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69 toward I 69 South: Evansville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
5
166.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
Take the exit toward College Avenue, Walnut Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward College Avenue, Walnut Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.95 one way
$53.91 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.59 | $59.19 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.18 | $66.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.06 | $76.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.7 | 0 | $18.10 | $8.28 |
| Efficient EV | 43.1 | 0 | $15.08 | $6.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69 | 0 | $24.14 | $11.03 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Bloomington, IN
Night in Bloomington on Saturday
Local time
10:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
2 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
3h 24m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is mostly highway-focused, with a 59% share of your travel time spent on interstates. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 101 miles on I-69, allowing for consistent progress. While much of the route is on faster roads, expect a transition as you get closer to your destination. The overall profile is a 'mixed drive,' meaning you'll encounter both efficient highway travel and potentially some more local road navigation, especially at the beginning and end of your trip. This blend means you can cover ground quickly but should be prepared for changes in speed and road type.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 28.1 miles in near SR 26; SR 67 / West Votaw Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 172.4 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 28.1 miles (SR 26; SR 67 / West Votaw Street): Navigation decision point; at 104.8 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.8 miles (I 69): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving 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 3h 24m. Total distance: 172.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (59%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101 miles on I 69. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 28.1 miles (SR 26; SR 67 / West Votaw Street): Navigation decision point; at 104.8 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.8 miles (I 69): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Bloomington, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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