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Trip from Forest Park, IL to Bloomington, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 35m

Distance

130.3 mi

210 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 26m ★
6 AM
2h 36m
8 AM
2h 57m
10 AM
2h 43m
12 PM
2h 41m
3 PM
2h 44m
5 PM
2h 56m
8 PM
2h 30m

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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village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Forest Park, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 130.3-mile drive from Forest Park, IL, to Bloomington, IL, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes. You'll primarily be on major tollways, including the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Veterans Memorial Tollway, and Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, with 84% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $20, and with only one recommended stop, it's a straightforward journey through the Midwest. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.

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

65.1 miles from Forest Park, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 100.9 mi 1h 51m
Veterans Memorial Tollway 8.6 mi 10m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 7.6 mi 9m
Eisenhower Expressway 4.5 mi 6m
I 55 Business 3.1 mi 5m
East Empire Street 1.6 mi 3m
North Veterans Parkway 0.9 mi 1m
Des Plaines Avenue 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 100.9 mi, about 1h 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Forest Park, IL and Bloomington, IL.

1

Start on Madison Street

44 ft · 6 sec · Madison Street
2

Turn left onto Des Plaines Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Des Plaines Avenue
Use the left lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 290 West: Eisenhower Expressway
4

Merge onto I 290; IL 110

4.5 mi · 6 min · Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110

1.9 mi · 2 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 15A Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana Use the slight left lane.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110

5.8 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road) Use the slight right lane.
7

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec
Exit 131A Toward I 355 South: Joliet Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 355

8.6 mi · 10 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward Joliet Road South Use the slight left lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 55

101 mi · 1 hr 51 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

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.
14

Continue on I 55 Business

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Veterans Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 22 sec
Toward IL 9 West: Pekin Use the right lane.
16

Turn straight onto IL 9

1.6 mi · 3 min · East Empire Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17

Turn left onto US 150

0.3 mi · 50 sec · North Clinton Street
Use the left lane.
18

Turn right onto East Mulberry Street

0.3 mi · 59 sec · East Mulberry Street
19

Turn left onto North Prairie Street

275 ft · 14 sec · North Prairie Street
20

Turn right onto East Douglas Street

504 ft · 23 sec · East Douglas Street
21

Turn right onto US 51 Business

0.1 mi · 15 sec · North East Street
22

Arrive at destination

US 51 Business

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 35-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Plan for your single stop to be strategically placed, perhaps around the halfway mark, to break up the 130.3 miles. With an estimated fuel cost of $20, it’s wise to ensure you have a full tank before departing Forest Park. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, as they can experience congestion during peak hours.

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 65.1 miles from Forest Park, IL, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.9 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 29 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 65.1 miles or 1h 17m 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 3m

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 Forest Park, 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 Forest Park, IL

This is one driving day of about 130.3 miles and 2h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Forest Park, IL.
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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 100.9 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

65 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

Romeoville, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Diamond, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 65.1 miles from Forest Park, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Piacere Mio Italian Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Forest Park, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Hours: 4–9 pm

+17083664010

Visit website

Habrae Thai dessert cafe & restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Forest Park, Illinois

0.4 mi

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

0.6 mi

Best coffee break

Friendly Coffee Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Berwyn, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17084849794

Visit website

Piacere Mio Italian Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Forest Park, Illinois

Hours: 4–9 pm

+17083664010

Visit website

Habrae Thai dessert cafe & restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Forest Park, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm

+17086898852

Visit website

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Oak Park, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17086132999

Visit website

Steven's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Woodridge, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16308109812

Visit website

Cebu Lechon House & New Chinese Kitchen

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv

Woodridge, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16309104100

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Expensive

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

Simon's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Villa Park, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16305300200

Visit website

Friendly Coffee Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Berwyn, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17084849794

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Normal, Illinois

+13094549590

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13096641222

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–12 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 123.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
5.1 mi into trip | ~8m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 15A Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora...
8
6.9 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
7
12.7 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward I 355 South: Joliet

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 131A Toward I 355 South: Joliet
8
22 mi into trip | ~29m in

Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
8
123.6 mi into trip | ~2h 21m 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...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.37 one way

$40.74 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $22.37 $44.73
premium $4.89 $25.08 $50.15
diesel $5.61 $28.77 $57.54

Estimated Tolls: $1.06

Veterans Memorial Tollway (8.6 mi) $0.60
Reagan Memorial Tollway (7.6 mi) $0.46

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

$20

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 45.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 39.1 0 $13.68 $6.25
Efficient EV 32.6 0 $11.40 $5.21
EV Truck/SUV 52.1 0 $18.24 $8.34

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

15 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 20, 2026

Origin

Forest Park, IL

Morning in Forest Park on Tuesday

Local time

10:10 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bloomington, IL

Morning in Bloomington on Tuesday

Local time

10:10 AM

CDT

Current temp

68°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

6 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 35m 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.

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...

17 mi from route ~41 min detour Free
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 highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 84% of the route utilizing major expressways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 100.9 miles, primarily on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. This means you'll be on higher-speed roads for a significant portion of the 2-hour and 35-minute drive. The character of the road remains consistent, offering a predictable driving experience as you cover the 130.3 miles between Forest Park and Bloomington.

84% 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: 100.9 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and Veterans Memorial Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.

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 19 significant decision points across 130.3 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 5.1 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 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.

Between Forest Park, IL and Bloomington, IL, road signs point toward 22Nd Street (Cermak Road), Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Illinois Regional Airport.

22Nd Street (Cermak Road)

6.9 mi in | ~10m | via I 88; IL 110

Saint Louis

22 mi in | ~29m

Joliet Road South

22.2 mi in | ~29m

Illinois Regional Airport

123.6 mi in | ~2h 21m | via I 55 Business

About the Cities

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 35m. Total distance: 130.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 100.9 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.06 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans Memorial 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. 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 5.1 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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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