This 256.7-mile drive from Makanda, IL to Bloomington, IL will take approximately 4 hours and 3 minutes to complete. Designed as a single-day trip, this route primarily utilizes local roads, with no highway segments to speak of. You can expect a fuel cost of around $39 for this journey. The drive offers a turn-heavy local experience, perfect for those who prefer navigating smaller roads over the interstate. As both your origin and destination are within the Midwest, you'll be traversing familiar regional landscapes throughout your trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
115.8 miles from Makanda, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ken Gray Expressway
61.7 mi
1h 6m
US 51
36.8 mi
42m
North Water Street
27.4 mi
36m
North 1450 East Road
17.6 mi
23m
South Superior Street
15.1 mi
17m
300E
13.5 mi
15m
County Road 875 East
11.1 mi
12m
150E
10.4 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Ken Gray Expressway
— 61.7 mi, about 1h 6m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,380 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,728
Quietest
2 AM
~240 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Makanda, IL and Bloomington, IL.
1
Start on Baptist Hill Road
75 ft·3 sec·Baptist Hill Road
2
Continue on Makanda Road
1.8 mi·6 min·Makanda Road
3
Turn right onto US 51
8.1 mi·9 min·US 51
4
Turn right onto IL 13
1.3 mi·2 min·West Walnut Street
5
Continue on IL 13
9.7 mi·14 min·East Main Street
6
Continue on IL 13
3.3 mi·4 min·West Deyoung Street
7
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
8
Merge onto I 57
41 mi·44 min·Ken Gray Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
20 mi·22 min·Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
11
Merge onto US 50
2.4 mi·2 min·West Main Street
12
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi·3 min·East Poplar Street
13
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi·3 min·Poplar
14
Turn right onto US 51
10 mi·11 min·150E
15
Continue on US 51
13 mi·15 min·300E
16
Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
0.5 mi·35 sec·US 40; US 51; IL 185
17
Turn right onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
1.6 mi·1 min·North Kennedy Boulevard
18
Continue on US 51
11 mi·12 min·County Road 875 East
19
Continue on US 51
15 mi·17 min·South Superior Street
20
Continue on US 51
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 2400 East
21
Continue on US 51
0.6 mi·2 min·Fair Avenue
22
Continue on US 51
0.4 mi·31 sec·South Poplar Street
23
Turn right onto US 51; IL 16
0.4 mi·1 min·East 1st Street
24
Turn left onto US 51; IL 16
382 ft·5 sec·Cedar Street
25
Turn right onto US 51; IL 16
0.5 mi·1 min·Jackson Street
26
Continue on US 51; IL 16
1.0 mi·1 min·North 2600 East Road
27
Turn left onto US 51
29 mi·33 min·US 51
28
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Decatur
29
Keep slight right at fork
144 ft·3 sec
Toward Decatur
30
Turn straight onto US 51 Business
2.6 mi·3 min·South Business Route 51
31
Continue on US 51 Business
0.1 mi·19 sec·South Main Street
32
Continue on US 51 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·South Franklin Street
33
Continue on US 51 Business
27 mi·36 min·North Water Street
34
Continue on US 51
18 mi·23 min·North 1450 East Road
Use the straight lane.
35
Continue on US 51 Business
0.5 mi·1 min·South East Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
36
Arrive at destination
US 51 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration and local road nature of this 256.7-mile trip, starting your drive in the morning will allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your schedule as needed. Pay close attention to your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy' profile means you'll be making frequent adjustments. The estimated fuel cost is $39, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before departing Makanda, especially as you'll be entirely on local roads and may encounter fewer services than on major highways.
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 115.8 miles from Makanda, IL, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.7 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 51 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.8 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 52m
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 Makanda, 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 Makanda, IL
This is one driving day of about 231.6 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Makanda, 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 Ken Gray Expressway for about 61.7 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 181.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.8 mi into trip|~6m in|US 51
Turn right onto US 51
Navigation decision point
4
9.8 mi into trip|~16m in|IL 13 / West Walnut Street
Turn right onto IL 13 / West Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
5
66.7 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
5
87.1 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
5
181.6 mi into trip|~3h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Decatur
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.20 one way
$68.40 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$37.76
$75.52
premium
$4.72
$43.00
$86.00
diesel
$4.80
$43.73
$87.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.5
0
$24.32
$11.12
Efficient EV
57.9
0
$20.27
$9.26
EV Truck/SUV
92.6
1
$32.42
$14.82
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Makanda, IL
Late night
in Makanda on Sunday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
W 6 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Bloomington, IL
Late night
in Bloomington on Sunday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 14 mph47% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
86°F
Brownstown, IL
116 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
2 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
4h 48m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is defined by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll be engaging with the road frequently with numerous turns. With a 0% highway share, this journey is entirely on local roads, offering a more intimate connection with the landscape. There's no longest uninterrupted stretch mentioned, suggesting a constant need for attention and navigation. This route is designed for drivers who enjoy a more involved driving experience rather than a straightforward highway cruise.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.7 mi on Ken Gray Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near US 51.
Driving Effort6/10
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 231.6 miles you will encounter 15 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 1.8 miles (US 51): Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles (IL 13 / West Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 66.7 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
796 ft416 ft
Total Climb
512 ft
Total Descent
158 ft
Highest Point
796 ft
~231.6 mi in
Elevation Range
379 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Makanda, IL and Bloomington, IL, road signs point toward Sandoval and Decatur.
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 4h 48m. Total distance: 231.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.7 miles on Ken Gray Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (US 51): Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles (IL 13 / West Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 66.7 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Bloomington, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
