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Trip from Monticello, 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

2h 50m

Distance

137 mi

220 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

20 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 39m ★
6 AM
2h 50m
8 AM
3h 12m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
2h 59m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 44m

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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Downtown Monticello, IN, IN

Monticello, IN

Giuseppe Di Maria

county seat of Monroe County, Indiana, United States

Bloomington, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 137-mile drive from Monticello, Indiana, to Bloomington, Indiana, is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend around 2 hours and 50 minutes on the road, with an estimated fuel cost of $21. The route primarily utilizes major interstates like I-65, I-69, and I-465, making it a largely efficient journey through the Midwest. Given its manageable length and highway profile, this is an ideal day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. You'll be covering 80% of the distance on highways, so it's built for steady progress.

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

68.5 miles from Monticello, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 54.5 mi 59m
I 69 38.3 mi 42m
I 465 13.7 mi 15m
South 300 East 9.8 mi 13m
South Prairie Street 7.4 mi 13m
North Walnut Street 3.2 mi 4m
SR 18 3 mi 5m
West Broadway Street 2.7 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 54.5 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 24; SR 39

286 ft · 17 sec · North Railroad Street East
2

Turn left onto US 24; SR 39

30 ft · 6 sec · West Washington Street
3

Turn left onto US 24; SR 39

435 ft · 16 sec · North Railroad Street West
4

Turn right onto US 24; US 421

2.7 mi · 4 min · West Broadway Street
5

Turn left onto South 300 East

9.8 mi · 13 min · South 300 East
6

Turn right onto SR 18

3.0 mi · 5 min · SR 18
7

Turn left onto SR 43

7.4 mi · 13 min · South Prairie Street
8

Turn left

0.2 mi · 30 sec
9

Merge onto I 65

49 mi · 52 min · I 65
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 65

5.9 mi · 6 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 123 Toward I 465 South
12

Continue on this road

0.6 mi · 1 min · this road
Exit 123 Toward I 465 South
13

Merge onto I 465

14 mi · 15 min · I 465
14

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 5 Toward I 69 South: Evansville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 69

38 mi · 42 min · I 69
16

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Toward College Avenue, Walnut Street
17

Turn straight onto North Walnut Street

3.2 mi · 4 min · North Walnut Street
18

Continue on North College Avenue

1.0 mi · 2 min · North College Avenue
19

Turn left onto West 10th Street

0.4 mi · 54 sec · West 10th Street
20

Turn right onto North Dunn Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Dunn Street
21

Turn left onto East 4th Street

379 ft · 15 sec · East 4th Street
22

Turn straight

99 ft · 7 sec
23

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 2 hour and 50 minute drive, starting your journey in the morning will allow you to arrive in Bloomington with plenty of daylight. With just one recommended stop, you have significant flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 54.5-mile stretch on I-65, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. The $21 fuel cost is an estimate, so budgeting slightly more provides a comfortable buffer. Since this is a single-day trip, you can easily adjust your departure time based on your schedule.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.5 miles from Monticello, IN, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 30 miles or 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 68.5 miles or 1h 26m 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 18m

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 Monticello, IN 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 Monticello, IN

This is one driving day of about 137 miles and 2h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Monticello, IN.
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 I 65 for about 54.5 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

69 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

Lafayette, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Speedway, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 68.5 miles from Monticello, 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

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lafayette, Indiana

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.3

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17654477700

Visit website

King Gyros Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bloomington, Indiana

1.6 mi

Cloverleaf South Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bloomington, Indiana

1.9 mi

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.3

Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17654477700

Visit website

King Gyros Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 137

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 137

Bloomington, Indiana

Hours: 5 am–3 pm

+18126501017

Visit website

Chapati

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 78.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13174059874

Visit website

Somali restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 88

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 10:30 am–9:30 pm

+13172411307

City Barbeque

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 68.5

Whitestown, Indiana

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+13179730430

Visit website

TC's Restaurant & Tavern

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 19.6

Battle Ground, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17655672838

Visit website

Mr Gyro's

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 78.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+13173889788

Visit website

Founders Grounds Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 88

Speedway, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+13179815358

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Monticello, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 137

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 137

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 137

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 137

Bloomington, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Lebanon Rest Area - I65 SB

0 mi from route

TA

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Love's

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.6 mi from route

Speedco Indianapolis

0.8 mi from route

Mr. Fuel Travel Center

0.9 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

1.1 mi from route

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 92.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 24; SR 39 / West Washington Street

Turn left onto US 24; SR 39 / West Washington Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 24; SR 39 / North Railroad Street West

Turn left onto US 24; SR 39 / North Railroad Street West

Navigation decision point

6
71.9 mi into trip | ~1h 30m 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
77.7 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in

Take the exit toward I 465 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 123 Toward I 465 South
7
92.3 mi into trip | ~1h 55m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.42 one way

$42.84 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $23.52 $47.03
premium $4.89 $26.36 $52.73
diesel $5.61 $30.25 $60.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

20 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Lafayette - Tesla Supercharger

Lafayette, IN

Tesla

24 DCFC

The Amp at 16 Tech - Tesla Supercharger

Indianapolis, IN

Tesla

16 DCFC

Circle K - Tesla Supercharger

Indianapolis, IN

Tesla

12 DCFC

Menards Greenwood 3169 (Greenwood, IN)

Greenwood, IN

Electrify America

12 DCFC

Lebanon Crossing - Tesla Supercharger

Lebanon, IN

Tesla

11 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Zionsville, IN

Tesla

10 DCFC

GetGo Cafe & Market - Tesla Supercharger

Speedway, IN

Tesla

8 DCFC

Target - Tesla Supercharger

Greenwood, IN

Tesla

8 DCFC

Tesla: 7 ChargePoint Network: 5 Electrify America: 2 eVgo Network: 2 Non-Networked: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 1 Blink Network: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.1 0 $14.39 $6.58
Efficient EV 34.3 0 $11.99 $5.48
EV Truck/SUV 54.8 0 $19.18 $8.77

Gas CO2

48 kg

EV CO2

16 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

Monticello, IN

Late night in Monticello on Sunday

Local time

3:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bloomington, IN

Late night in Bloomington on Sunday

Local time

3:29 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

2 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 50m 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?

Prepare for a drive that is predominantly highway-focused, with 80% of your journey on interstates. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a significant 54.5-mile segment on I-65. The character of this route is one of efficiency and steady travel, designed to get you between these two Indiana cities with minimal fuss. While not a winding scenic byway, this highway-centric approach ensures a predictable and relatively quick transit.

80% 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: 54.5 mi on I 65.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 69. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 24; SR 39 / West Washington Street.

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 137 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.1 miles (US 24; SR 39 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 24; SR 39 / North Railroad Street West): Navigation decision point; at 71.9 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 2h 50m. Total distance: 137 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 54.5 miles on I 65. 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.

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 0.1 miles (US 24; SR 39 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 24; SR 39 / North Railroad Street West): Navigation decision point; at 71.9 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Bloomington, IN to Monticello, IN

Plan the drive back the other way.

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