Grandwood Park, IL to Bloomington, IL is 164.3 miles and takes about 3h 19m via the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip with a relatively short duration, making it ideal for a single-day excursion. Plan for a steady pace on well-maintained roads as you head south towards Bloomington.
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
82.2 miles from Grandwood Park, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Grandwood Park, IL and Bloomington, IL.
1
Start on Douglas Court
64 ft·5 sec·Douglas Court
2
Turn left onto North Douglas Terrace
0.4 mi·1 min·North Douglas Terrace
3
Turn left onto West Woodland Terrace
260 ft·13 sec·West Woodland Terrace
4
Turn right onto North Hutchins Road
520 ft·16 sec·North Hutchins Road
5
Turn left onto IL 132
1.8 mi·2 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 94 East Toll: ChicagoUse the straight / right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 94
16 mi·18 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
23 mi·28 min·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'HareUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 23Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 55
109 mi·2 hr 1 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto I 55 Business
3.1 mi·5 min·I 55 Business
Exit 167Toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, Central Illinois Regional AirportUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on I 55 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·North Veterans Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·22 sec
Toward IL 9 West: PekinUse the right lane.
17
Turn straight onto IL 9
1.6 mi·3 min·East Empire Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto US 150
0.3 mi·50 sec·North Clinton Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto East Mulberry Street
0.3 mi·59 sec·East Mulberry Street
20
Turn left onto North Prairie Street
275 ft·14 sec·North Prairie Street
21
Turn right onto East Douglas Street
504 ft·23 sec·East Douglas Street
22
Turn right onto US 51 Business
0.1 mi·15 sec·North East Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 51 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 19m duration, this trip is easily completed in one day, so consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. The fuel cost is estimated at $26, so ensure your tank is full before departing Grandwood Park. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with when and where you pull over for a break. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you navigate the initial expressway segments out of the Chicago metropolitan area, which can sometimes experience congestion.
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 82.2 miles from Grandwood Park, IL, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.7 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 36 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.2 miles or 1h 40m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bloomington, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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Open the route before leaving Grandwood 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 Grandwood Park, IL
This is one driving day of about 164.3 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Grandwood 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 108.7 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.2 and 157.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
19.2 mi into trip|~25m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
6
46.7 mi into trip|~59m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
47.9 mi into trip|~1h in
Take the exit toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 23
Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
7
48.5 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
157.7 mi into trip|~3h 5m 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
$25.69 one way
$51.37 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.20
$56.41
premium
$4.89
$31.62
$63.24
diesel
$5.61
$36.28
$72.55
Estimated Tolls: $2.70
Tri-state Tollway
(45.1 mi)$2.70
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
$26
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.3
0
$17.25
$7.89
Efficient EV
41.1
0
$14.38
$6.57
EV Truck/SUV
65.7
0
$23.00
$10.52
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Grandwood Park, IL
Morning
in Grandwood Park on Tuesday
Local time
10:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bloomington, IL
Morning
in Bloomington on Tuesday
Local time
10:16 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
24 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 19m 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
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 69% of the route utilizing major expressways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 108.7 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, offering a consistent, uninterrupted journey. While the majority of the drive involves the efficiency of the interstate system, you'll transition to I 55 Business for the final leg into Bloomington. Expect a predictable driving experience, largely characterized by open highway travel.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.7 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 Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.2 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 164.3 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 19.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.7 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between Grandwood Park, IL and Bloomington, IL, road signs point toward O'hare and St. Louis.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 164.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 108.7 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.70 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.
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.
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 19.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.7 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Bloomington, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
