Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Frankfort, 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

1h 57m

Distance

94.4 mi

152 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 49m ★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 14m
10 AM
2h 3m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 52m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
county seat in Clinton County, Indiana, United States

Frankfort, IN

Wikimedia Commons

county seat of Monroe County, Indiana, United States

Bloomington, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Frankfort to Bloomington covers 94.4 miles of Indiana landscape, typically taking about 1 hour and 57 minutes to complete. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $14 on fuel for the journey, keeping your transportation costs quite manageable. By utilizing I-65, I-465, and I-69, you stay within the Midwest region for the entire duration of the trip. Whether you are heading south for a quick visit or a change of scenery, this route offers a practical and efficient connection between these two Indiana hubs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

47.2 miles from Frankfort, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 69 38.3 mi 42m
I 65 22.1 mi 24m
I 465 13.7 mi 15m
South Jackson Street 10.8 mi 15m
North Walnut Street 3.2 mi 4m
IN-47 2 mi 3m
North College Avenue 1 mi 2m
North Dunn Street 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 69 — 38.3 mi, about 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Frankfort, IN and Bloomington, IN.

1

Start on SR 39

11 mi · 15 min · South Jackson Street
2

Turn right onto SR 47

2.0 mi · 3 min · IN-47
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward Indianapolis
4

Merge onto I 65

16 mi · 17 min · I 65
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 65

5.9 mi · 6 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 123 Toward I 465 South
7

Continue on this road

0.6 mi · 1 min · this road
Exit 123 Toward I 465 South
8

Merge onto I 465

14 mi · 15 min · I 465
9

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 5 Toward I 69 South: Evansville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 69

38 mi · 42 min · I 69
11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Toward College Avenue, Walnut Street
12

Turn straight onto North Walnut Street

3.2 mi · 4 min · North Walnut Street
13

Continue on North College Avenue

1.0 mi · 2 min · North College Avenue
14

Turn left onto West 10th Street

0.4 mi · 54 sec · West 10th Street
15

Turn right onto North Dunn Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Dunn Street
16

Turn left onto East 4th Street

379 ft · 15 sec · East 4th Street
17

Turn straight

99 ft · 7 sec
18

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since the total drive time is just under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You won't need to worry about complex pacing or multiple overnight stops, as the distance is short enough to handle in one go. Keep in mind that because this route relies heavily on major interstates like I-65 and I-465, traffic flow can vary; checking real-time conditions before you pull out of Frankfort is a smart move. Budgeting about $14 for gas should cover your needs, but filling up before you leave ensures you don't have to worry about fuel prices once you hit the busier stretches of the highway.

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 47.2 miles from Frankfort, IN, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.3 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 21 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 47.2 miles or 59m 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 33m

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 Frankfort, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Frankfort, IN

This is one driving day of about 94.4 miles and 1h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Frankfort, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 69 for about 38.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

person who operates a mill

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Miller, IN

47 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

Zionsville, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Miller, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 47.2 miles from Frankfort, 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.

Top Restaurant

Hardee's

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Indianapolis, Indiana

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 40.4

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13172919270

Visit website

City Barbeque

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Whitestown, Indiana

1.6 mi

King Gyros Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bloomington, Indiana

1.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Founders Grounds Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Speedway, Indiana

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 40.4

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+13179815358

Visit website

Hardee's

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 40.4

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13172919270

Visit website

City Barbeque

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 27

Whitestown, Indiana

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+13179730430

Visit website

King Gyros Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 94.4

Bloomington, Indiana

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+18123344144

Visit website

Cloverleaf South Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 94.4

Bloomington, Indiana

Hours: 5 am–3 pm

+18126501017

Visit website

Mr Gyro's

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 40.4

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+13173889788

Visit website

Al-Rayan restaurant

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 40.4

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+13179867554

Visit website

Noodles and Company

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 33.7

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+13174718100

Visit website

3 Agaves Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 40.4

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13177572620

Visit website

Founders Grounds Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 40.4

Speedway, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+13179815358

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 94.4

Bloomington, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 94.4

Bloomington, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVBOLT Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 94.4

Bloomington, Indiana

+18665212658

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 94.4

Bloomington, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Indy with Kids

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 40.4

Indianapolis, IN

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13174555289

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 12.8 and 88.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
12.8 mi into trip | ~19m in

Take the ramp toward Indianapolis

Navigation decision point

Toward Indianapolis
6
29.3 mi into trip | ~37m in | I 65

Keep slight left at fork onto I 65

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
35.2 mi into trip | ~44m in

Take the exit toward I 465 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 123 Toward I 465 South
7
49.8 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in

Take the exit toward I 69 South: Evansville

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 5 Toward I 69 South: Evansville
5
88.8 mi into trip | ~1h 46m 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

$14.76 one way

$29.52 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 33 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $16.20 $32.41
premium $4.89 $18.17 $36.33
diesel $5.61 $20.84 $41.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 33 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 28.3 0 $9.91 $4.53
Efficient EV 23.6 0 $8.26 $3.78
EV Truck/SUV 37.8 0 $13.22 $6.04

Gas CO2

33 kg

EV CO2

11 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 15, 2026

Origin

Frankfort, IN

Morning in Frankfort on Sunday

Local time

8:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bloomington, IN

Morning in Bloomington on Sunday

Local time

8:50 AM

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

21 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

1h 57m 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?

Expect a trip defined by efficiency, as 81% of your travel time will be spent on major highways. The road experience is heavily centered on interstate navigation, providing a consistent pace rather than a winding, slow-speed backroad tour. You will find yourself settling into the flow of traffic, with the longest uninterrupted segment spanning 38.3 miles along I-69. As you transition between these interstate arteries, the drive maintains a steady, predictable character that is ideal for those who prefer a direct route. It is a functional, highway-focused experience that prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal fuss.

81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.3 mi on I 69.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and I 65. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 12.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 94.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 12.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 29.3 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

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 Frankfort, IN to Bloomington, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Indianapolis along the way.

Indianapolis

12.8 mi in | ~19m

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 1h 57m. Total distance: 94.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 38.3 miles on I 69. 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 Bloomington, IN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 12.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 29.3 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bloomington, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Bloomington, IN

Simonton Lake, IN 217 mi · 4h 30m East Chicago, IN 206.4 mi · 3h 59m Concord, IN 199.4 mi · 3h 57m Valparaiso, IN 197.4 mi · 3h 52m

More from Frankfort, IN

Evansville, IN 210.4 mi · 4h 1m Portage, IN 116.4 mi · 2h 17m Greenwood, IN 60 mi · 1h 17m Noblesville, IN 37.3 mi · 57m Kokomo, IN 32 mi · 48m

More trips to Bloomington, IN

York, IN 229.4 mi Davis, IN 225.9 mi Trail Creek, IN 222.4 mi Michigan City, IN 221.6 mi Lagrange, IN 220.1 mi Gary, IN 198.6 mi
Escape planner: Frankfort, IN Scenic drives in IN

Explore more options from Frankfort, IN or browse trips ending in Bloomington, IN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.