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Trip from Lockport, 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 5m

Distance

101.9 mi

164 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 57m ★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 0m

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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city in Will County, Illinois, United States

Lockport, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 101.9-mile drive from Lockport, IL, to Bloomington, IL, is an easy one-day trip, taking about 2 hours and 5 minutes to complete. Primarily a highway-focused journey, you'll spend about 92% of your time on interstates, making it a straightforward connection between these two Midwest locations. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, this route is budget-friendly for a quick getaway or a necessary commute. Given the relatively short distance and efficient highway travel, an overnight stop isn't necessary, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

51 miles from Lockport, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 82.3 mi 1h 28m
I 80 7 mi 8m
I 55 Business 3.1 mi 5m
South State Street 2.7 mi 5m
Collins Street 2 mi 4m
East Empire Street 1.6 mi 3m
North Veterans Parkway 0.9 mi 1m
Richards Street 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 82.3 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on IL 7

110 ft · 6 sec · West 9th Street
2

Turn right onto IL 171

2.7 mi · 5 min · South State Street
3

Continue on IL 171

2.0 mi · 4 min · Collins Street
4

Continue on US 6; US 30

404 ft · 18 sec · East Jefferson Street
5

Turn left onto Richards Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Richards Street
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
7

Merge onto I 80

7.0 mi · 8 min · I 80
Use the 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 straightforward 2-hour, 5-minute drive, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. Since it's a short trip with minimal recommended stops, you can easily complete it in one go. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $16, and plan your fill-up accordingly, especially before hitting the longest 82.3-mile stretch on I-55. Consider departing during off-peak hours to make the most of the highway-focused profile and minimize any potential delays.

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 51 miles from Lockport, IL, or about 1h 3m 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 22 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 51 miles or 1h 3m 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 39m

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 Lockport, 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 Lockport, IL

This is one driving day of about 101.9 miles and 2h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Lockport, 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.

Downtown Gardner, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gardner, IL

51 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

Diamond, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dwight, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 51 miles from Lockport, 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 101 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
5.6 mi into trip | ~13m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
12.6 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 126A Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
95.3 mi into trip | ~1h 51m 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
99.3 mi into trip | ~1h 58m 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
101 mi into trip | ~2h 3m 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

$15.93 one way

$31.86 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $17.49 $34.98
premium $4.89 $19.61 $39.22
diesel $5.61 $22.50 $45.00

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.6 0 $10.70 $4.89
Efficient EV 25.5 0 $8.92 $4.08
EV Truck/SUV 40.8 0 $14.27 $6.52

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 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

Lockport, IL

Late night in Lockport on Tuesday

Local time

5:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Widespread Fog

E 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Dense Fog Advisory

Dense Fog Advisory issued April 16 at 8:07PM CDT until April 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Dense Fog Advisory

Dense Fog Advisory issued April 16 at 8:07PM CDT until April 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Destination

Bloomington, IL

Late night in Bloomington on Tuesday

Local time

5:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

67°F

Gardner, IL

51 mi in

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

15 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 5m 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...

24 mi from route ~61 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 predominantly highway experience on this 101.9-mile route, with 92% of the drive utilizing major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 82.3 miles on I-55, providing a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. While the profile is highway-focused, you will navigate segments of I-80 and I-55 Business, offering minor shifts in the driving environment as you progress. The character is largely about efficient travel, minimizing distractions and maximizing forward momentum.

92% 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?

7/10

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 5.6 miles in near I 80.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 101.9 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 5.6 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 95.3 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.

Between Lockport, IL and Bloomington, IL, road signs point toward Rock Island and Illinois Regional Airport.

Rock Island

5.4 mi in | ~12m

Illinois Regional Airport

95.3 mi in | ~1h 51m | 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 5m. Total distance: 101.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). 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.

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 5.6 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 95.3 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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