Kenilworth, IL to Bloomington, IL is 145.3 miles and takes about 3h 3m via Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Tri-State Tollway, and Gross Point Road, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to the same region. It's a straightforward trip that's mostly highway, making it a convenient option for a single day. Expect to spend a good portion of your time on major expressways before transitioning to surface roads. This route is a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two points without a significant time commitment.
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
72.6 miles from Kenilworth, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Kenilworth, IL and Bloomington, IL.
1
Start on Park Drive
61 ft·5 sec·Park Drive
2
Turn right onto Green Bay Road
170 ft·7 sec·Green Bay Road
3
Turn right onto Kenilworth Avenue
0.4 mi·53 sec·Kenilworth Avenue
4
Turn slight left onto Ridge Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Ridge Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on Gross Point Road
4.2 mi·8 min·Gross Point Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn straight onto New Gross Point Road
0.1 mi·14 sec·New Gross Point Road
7
Turn right onto Howard Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·Howard Street
8
Turn left onto North Lehigh Avenue
120 ft·2 sec·North Lehigh Avenue
9
Turn right onto West Gross Point Road
0.9 mi·1 min·West Gross Point Road
10
Turn slight right onto West Touhy Avenue
4.0 mi·7 min·West Touhy Avenue
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto South Des Plaines River Road
184 ft·3 sec·South Des Plaines River Road
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 294 South: Indiana
13
Merge onto I 294
11 mi·14 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 23Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 55
109 mi·2 hr 1 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Continue on I 55 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·North Veterans Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·22 sec
Toward IL 9 West: PekinUse the right lane.
22
Turn straight onto IL 9
1.6 mi·3 min·East Empire Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
23
Turn left onto US 150
0.3 mi·50 sec·North Clinton Street
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto East Mulberry Street
0.3 mi·59 sec·East Mulberry Street
25
Turn left onto North Prairie Street
275 ft·14 sec·North Prairie Street
26
Turn right onto East Douglas Street
504 ft·23 sec·East Douglas Street
27
Turn right onto US 51 Business
0.1 mi·15 sec·North East Street
28
Arrive at destination
US 51 Business
Trip Plan
For this 3h 3m drive, consider an early morning departure from Kenilworth to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one stop recommended and a fuel cost around $23, this is a very manageable day trip. The longest stretch is over 100 miles, so plan for a brief break before or after that segment if needed. Keep an eye on your GPS for the transition off the Adlai Stevenson Expressway around the 108.7-mile point, as this is where the driving environment will change from highway to surface streets.
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 72.6 miles from Kenilworth, IL, or about 1h 35m 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 32 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.6 miles or 1h 35m 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 27m
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 Kenilworth, 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 Kenilworth, IL
This is one driving day of about 145.3 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Kenilworth, 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 27.6 and 142.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
27.6 mi into trip|~44m 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
28.9 mi into trip|~45m 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
29.5 mi into trip|~46m 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
138.6 mi into trip|~2h 49m 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
142.7 mi into trip|~2h 56m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.72 one way
$45.43 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.94
$49.88
premium
$4.89
$27.96
$55.92
diesel
$5.61
$32.08
$64.16
Estimated Tolls: $1.05
Tri-state Tollway
(17.5 mi)$1.05
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
$23
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.6
0
$15.26
$6.97
Efficient EV
36.3
0
$12.71
$5.81
EV Truck/SUV
58.1
0
$20.34
$9.30
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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 19, 2026
Origin
Kenilworth, IL
Late night
in Kenilworth on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bloomington, IL
Late night
in Bloomington on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
35°F
Areas Of Frost
WSW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 10:25PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 10:23PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
25 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 3m 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
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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 30.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 78% of the 145.3 miles on major expressways. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 108.7 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The transition to surface roads will occur around the 108.7-mile mark. Given the high highway share, expect typical expressway driving with merging traffic and multiple exits as you approach your destination.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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 27.6 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 22 significant decision points across 145.3 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 27.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
On the drive from Kenilworth, IL to Bloomington, IL, road signs begin pointing toward St. Louis along the way.
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 3m. Total distance: 145.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 $1.05 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.
Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 27.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Bloomington, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
