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Trip from East Hazel Crest, IL to Bloomington, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 25m

Distance

120.7 mi

194 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 16m ★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 45m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 44m
8 PM
2h 20m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown East Hazel Crest, IL, IL

East Hazel Crest, IL

Hugo Sykes

Trip Overview

This 120.7-mile drive from East Hazel Crest, IL to Bloomington, IL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes. The route is heavily highway-focused, with 96% of the journey on interstates, making it a straightforward connection between two points in the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or an efficient transit. You'll spend most of your time on I-55, which forms the backbone of this journey, offering a direct path with minimal detours. Given its short duration and highway nature, this drive is ideal for those looking to maximize their time at their destination rather than on the road.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

60.4 miles from East Hazel Crest, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 82.3 mi 1h 28m
I 80 29.8 mi 37m
I 55 Business 3.1 mi 5m
East Empire Street 1.6 mi 3m
North Veterans Parkway 0.9 mi 1m
171st Street 0.8 mi 2m
Center Avenue 0.4 mi 1m
East Mulberry Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 82.3 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Hazel Crest, IL and Bloomington, IL.

1

Start on 174th Street

83 ft · 9 sec · 174th Street
2

Turn left onto Center Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Center Avenue
3

Turn left onto 171st Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · 171st Street
4

Turn left onto Wood Street

153 ft · 4 sec · Wood Street
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 294 North, I 80 West: Tri-State Tollway
6

Merge onto I 80; I 294

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Tri-State Tollway
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

30 mi · 37 min · I 80
Exit 5 Toward I 80 West: Iowa Use the slight right lane.
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Exit 126A Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
9

Merge onto I 55

82 mi · 1 hr 28 min · I 55
Use the right lane.
10

Take the exit onto I 55 Business

3.1 mi · 5 min · I 55 Business
Exit 167 Toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, Central Illinois Regional Airport Use the slight right lane.
11

Continue on I 55 Business

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Veterans Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 22 sec
Toward IL 9 West: Pekin Use the right lane.
13

Turn straight onto IL 9

1.6 mi · 3 min · East Empire Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
14

Turn left onto US 150

0.3 mi · 50 sec · North Clinton Street
Use the left lane.
15

Turn right onto East Mulberry Street

0.3 mi · 59 sec · East Mulberry Street
16

Turn left onto North Prairie Street

275 ft · 14 sec · North Prairie Street
17

Turn right onto East Douglas Street

504 ft · 23 sec · East Douglas Street
18

Turn right onto US 51 Business

0.1 mi · 15 sec · North East Street
19

Arrive at destination

US 51 Business

Trip Plan

For this 2 hour and 25 minute drive, departing in the morning is your best bet to avoid any potential midday traffic, especially as you navigate the initial stretches involving I-80. Since the drive is under 121 miles and mostly highway, there's no need to split it; you can easily complete it in one go. Fuel costs are estimated at a reasonable $19, so ensure your tank is full before you leave East Hazel Crest to minimize stops. A key tip for this route is to be mindful of the transition from the broader interstates to I-55 Business as you approach Bloomington; it's a good indicator you're nearing your destination.

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 60.4 miles from East Hazel Crest, IL, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.3 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 27 miles or 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 60.4 miles or 1h 13m 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 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bloomington, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving East Hazel Crest, IL 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 East Hazel Crest, IL

This is one driving day of about 120.7 miles and 2h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from East Hazel Crest, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 82.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Morris, IL

60 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.

Popular next leg

Morris, IL to Bloomington, IL

75.1 mi · 1h 29m

Pacing Suggestions

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Morris, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.4 miles from East Hazel Crest, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.3 miles.

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.

Top Restaurant

Glo Jean's Kitchen

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hazel Crest, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17089917264

Visit website

Happy Bites Burger & Wings - Tinley Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tinley Park, Illinois

1.3 mi

Silver Spoon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Joliet, Illinois

1.2 mi

Glo Jean's Kitchen

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hazel Crest, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17089917264

Visit website

Happy Bites Burger & Wings - Tinley Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 8.6

Tinley Park, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+17086208223

Visit website

Silver Spoon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 25.9

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18157256202

Visit website

Olympic Star Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 8.6

Tinley Park, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17085328900

Visit website

FAJITAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT OF MOKENA

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 8.6

Mokena, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17089955737

Visit website

Sushi Ya

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 25.9

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+18157303838

Visit website

Subway

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 43.1

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18159262726

Visit website

Hillgrove Tap

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 8.6

Tinley Park, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+17083909500

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 120.7

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 120.7

Normal, Illinois

+13094549590

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 120.7

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13096641222

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 120.7

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–12 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 120.7

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 120.7

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 120.7

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 120.7

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

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 1.2 and 119.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
1.2 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 294 North, I 80 West: Tri-State Tollway

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 294 North, I 80 West: Tri-State Tollwa...
8
1.6 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Iowa

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 5 Toward I 80 West: Iowa
8
114.1 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in | I 55 Business

Take the exit onto I 55 Business toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, Central Illinois Regional Airport

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 167 Toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, C...
6
118.1 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in

Take the exit toward IL 9 West: Pekin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward IL 9 West: Pekin
6
119.8 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in | US 150 / North Clinton Street

Turn left onto US 150 / North Clinton Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.87 one way

$37.74 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.72 $41.44
premium $4.89 $23.23 $46.46
diesel $5.61 $26.65 $53.30

Estimated Tolls: $0.01

Tri-state Tollway (0.1 mi) $0.01

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.2 0 $12.67 $5.79
Efficient EV 30.2 0 $10.56 $4.83
EV Truck/SUV 48.3 0 $16.90 $7.72

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

East Hazel Crest, IL

Afternoon in East Hazel Crest on Sunday

Local time

2:01 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bloomington, IL

Afternoon in Bloomington on Sunday

Local time

2:01 PM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 8 to 22 mph 22% chance 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

12 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 25m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

Pullman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...

9 mi from route ~21 min detour Free
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a primarily highway-focused experience on this 120.7-mile journey, with 96% of the drive utilizing interstates like I-55 and I-80. The personality of this route is that of efficient travel, designed for covering distance quickly. You'll encounter an uninterrupted stretch of 82.3 miles on I-55, providing a solid block of highway driving. While the landscape is typical of the Midwest, the focus is on the road itself rather than specific scenic elements. This drive is about maintaining momentum, using I-55 Business for local access as needed.

96% 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: 82.3 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

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 120.7 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 1.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.1 miles (I 55 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 East Hazel Crest, IL to Bloomington, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Illinois Regional Airport along the way.

Illinois Regional Airport

114.1 mi in | ~2h 11m | via I 55 Business

About the Cities

Starting in East Hazel Crest, IL

Full guide →

Arriving in Bloomington, IL

Full guide →

Bloomington, pop. 77,000 (2010 census), is a city in the Midwestern state of Illinois in the United States of America, on the classic Route 66 highway across the country. With neighboring Normal, pop. 52,000 (2010 census), it forms a combined community of about 130,000 known locally as the Twin Cities. Illinois Wesleyan University is in Bloomington, and is not to be confused with Illinois State University in Normal.

Top landmarks

  • • David Davis Mansion — house museum in Bloomington, Illinois
  • • Bloomington Central Business District — historic and central business district in Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois,...
  • • George H. Miller House — Bloomington, Illinois, listed on the National Register of Historic Places

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 25m. Total distance: 120.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 82.3 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.01 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

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 Bloomington, IL 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.1 miles (I 55 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bloomington, IL 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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