Origin
Portage Park, IL
Late night in Portage Park on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Portage Park, IL to Bloomington, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 52m
Distance
136 mi
219 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 41m
★
6 AM
2h 52m
8 AM
3h 14m
10 AM
3h 0m
12 PM
2h 58m
3 PM
3h 1m
5 PM
3h 13m
8 PM
2h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portage Park, IL
Willian Justen de Vasconcellos
Trip Overview
This 136-mile drive from Portage Park, Illinois, to Bloomington, Illinois, is a straightforward trip best suited for a single day. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 52 minutes on the road, making it a manageable journey without the need for an overnight stop. The route primarily utilizes highways, with 90% of the drive on major roads like the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-55 Business. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, this highway-focused journey through the Midwest is efficient and economical. You'll encounter one main stop point along the way, and the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 118 miles.
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 miles from Portage Park, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 118 mi | 2h 14m |
| North Cicero Avenue | 6.6 mi | 13m |
| I 55 Business | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| North Central Avenue | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| East Empire Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| West Grand Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| North Veterans Parkway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Mulberry Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
— 118 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portage Park, IL and Bloomington, IL.
1
Start on West Hutchinson Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Hutchinson Street
2
Turn left onto North Central Avenue
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
North Central Avenue
3
Turn left onto West Grand Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on West Grand Avenue
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
West Grand Avenue
5
Turn right onto IL 50
6.6 mi
·
13 min
·
North Cicero Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 55 South
7
Merge onto I 55
162 ft
·
2 sec
·
Stevenson Expressway
8
Continue on I 55
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Adlai E Stevenson Expressway
9
Continue on I 55
118 mi
·
2 hr 14 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 52-minute duration for this 136-mile drive, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning is a good bet to avoid potential afternoon traffic as you navigate out of the Chicago area. With only one recommended stop and a $21 fuel cost, you can easily complete this trip in one go. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 118-mile stretch on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, to ensure you don't need to pull over unexpectedly.
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 miles from Portage Park, IL, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118 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 miles or 1h 28m 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 17m
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 Portage 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 Portage Park, IL
This is one driving day of about 136 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Portage 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 118 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68 miles from Portage Park, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 2.8 and 135.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
West Grand Avenue
Turn left onto West Grand Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
3.9 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
IL 50 / North Cicero Avenue
Turn right onto IL 50 / North Cicero Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
129.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m 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
133.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m 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
135.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m 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
$21.26 one way
$42.52 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.34 | $46.69 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.17 | $52.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.03 | $60.05 |
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: 47.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.28 | $6.53 |
| Efficient EV | 34 | 0 | $11.90 | $5.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.04 | $8.70 |
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.
Destination
Bloomington, IL
Late night in Bloomington on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 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
6 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
2h 52m 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?
Expect a highly highway-focused experience for this 136-mile trip. You'll be spending 90% of your time on major expressways and interstates, including significant mileage on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is a substantial 118 miles, meaning you'll have long periods of consistent driving. While this offers efficiency, be prepared for a driving personality that prioritizes speed and directness over varied scenery. The route maintains a consistent highway character for most of its duration.
90% 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: 118 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and North Cicero Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near West Grand Avenue.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 52m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (West Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (IL 50 / North Cicero Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 129.3 miles (I 55 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 52m. Total distance: 136 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (West Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (IL 50 / North Cicero Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 129.3 miles (I 55 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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