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Trip from Richwoods, 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

3h 54m

Distance

173.1 mi

279 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 41m ★
6 AM
3h 54m
8 AM
4h 20m
10 AM
4h 3m
12 PM
4h 1m
3 PM
4h 4m
5 PM
4h 19m
8 PM
3h 46m

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 Richwoods, IL, IL

Richwoods, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Richwoods to Bloomington, you are looking at a 173.1-mile journey across the Illinois landscape. Clocking in at approximately 3 hours and 54 minutes, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You should budget about $26 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Utilizing a combination of I-57, I-74, and IL-130, the drive stays entirely within the Midwest, offering a straightforward transit between these two points. It is a practical, efficient path for travelers who prefer a direct connection rather than a scenic detour.

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

86.5 miles from Richwoods, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 47.4 mi 50m
I 74 43.3 mi 46m
IL 130 34.1 mi 50m
East 1050th Avenue 19 mi 28m
East 1050th Ave 5.3 mi 8m
Illinois Route 16 5.3 mi 7m
1850E 3.5 mi 6m
East Main Street 3.2 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 47.4 mi, about 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on East 700th Avenue

158 ft · 12 sec · East 700th Avenue
2

Turn left onto North 2100th Street

0.2 mi · 50 sec · North 2100th Street
3

Turn right onto East 675th Avenue

0.7 mi · 2 min · East 675th Avenue
4

Continue on East 720th Avenue

0.6 mi · 2 min · East 720th Avenue
5

Turn left onto North 2000th Street

0.1 mi · 32 sec · North 2000th Street
6

Turn right onto East 700th Avenue

1.4 mi · 5 min · East 700th Avenue
7

Turn right onto IL 33

3.5 mi · 6 min · 1850E
8

Turn left onto IL 33

0.6 mi · 59 sec · East Franklin Street
9

Keep slight right at fork onto IL 33

0.2 mi · 24 sec · West Washington Street
10

Continue on IL 33

5.3 mi · 8 min · East 1050th Ave
11

Continue on IL 33

2.7 mi · 5 min · East Main Street
12

Continue on IL 33

6.9 mi · 10 min · East 1050th Avenue
13

Continue on IL 33

0.6 mi · 57 sec · W Main St
14

Continue on IL 33

0.5 mi · 44 sec · East Main Street
15

Continue on IL 33

12 mi · 18 min · East 1050th Avenue
16

Turn right onto IL 130

34 mi · 50 min · IL 130
Use the right lane.
17

Turn left onto IL 16

2.5 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Avenue
18

Continue on IL 16

5.3 mi · 7 min · Illinois Route 16
19

Continue on IL 16

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Charleston Avenue East
20

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
21

Merge onto I 57

47 mi · 50 min · I 57
22

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 237B Toward I 74 West: Peoria
23

Merge onto I 74

43 mi · 46 min · I 74
24

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 135 Toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Bloomington
25

Turn right onto US 51 Business

2.8 mi · 5 min · South Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
26

Continue on US 51 Business

0.5 mi · 1 min · South East Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
27

Arrive at destination

US 51 Business

Trip Plan

To keep your 3-hour and 54-minute drive stress-free, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid any potential peak-hour congestion on the interstates. While the trip is short enough to complete in one go, planning for at least one well-timed stop will help you stay fresh behind the wheel. Given that your fuel budget is approximately $26, it is wise to fill up before you merge onto the longest 47.4-mile stretch of I-57 to avoid paying premium prices at remote service stations. Since this route is highly efficient, take advantage of your flexibility to adjust your pace if you hit unexpected traffic on I-74 or IL-130. Always keep an eye on your navigation system, as the transition between these three different road types requires a bit of extra attention.

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 86.5 miles from Richwoods, IL, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.4 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 38 miles or 1h 7m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 86.5 miles or 2h 16m 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 16m

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 Richwoods, 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 Richwoods, IL

This is one driving day of about 173.1 miles and 3h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Richwoods, 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 I 57 for about 47.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and the county seat of Coles County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charleston, IL

87 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.

Popular next leg

Charleston, IL to Bloomington, IL

103.6 mi · 2h

Pacing Suggestions

Plainfield, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mattoon, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86.5 miles from Richwoods, IL, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Urbana, Illinois

+12173672340

Visit website

Basil Thai At Urbana

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Urbana, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+12173448662

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Normal, Illinois

+13094549590

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13096641222

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–12 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 169.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North 2100th Street

Turn left onto North 2100th Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.2 mi into trip | ~1m in | East 675th Avenue

Turn right onto East 675th Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
1.6 mi into trip | ~6m in | East 700th Avenue

Turn right onto East 700th Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
125.7 mi into trip | ~2h 58m in

Take the exit toward I 74 West: Peoria

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 237B Toward I 74 West: Peoria
6
169.5 mi into trip | ~3h 46m in

Take the exit toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Bloomington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 135 Toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Bloom...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.06 one way

$54.12 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $29.71 $59.43
premium $4.89 $33.31 $66.62
diesel $5.61 $38.22 $76.44

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51.9 0 $18.18 $8.31
Efficient EV 43.3 0 $15.15 $6.92
EV Truck/SUV 69.2 0 $24.23 $11.08

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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 20, 2026

Origin

Richwoods, IL

Morning in Richwoods on Tuesday

Local time

8:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bloomington, IL

Morning in Bloomington on Tuesday

Local time

8:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

72°F

Charleston, IL

87 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

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

3h 54m 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?

This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 75% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a mix of fast-paced interstate cruising and connecting state roads that keep the pace moving steadily. Be prepared for a significant push on I-57, which features your longest uninterrupted stretch of 47.4 miles. Because the route relies heavily on high-speed infrastructure, the character of the drive is consistent and predictable rather than winding or technical. You can expect a steady rhythm behind the wheel as you navigate these major arteries through the heart of the state.

75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.4 mi on I 57.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 74. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North 2100th Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 173.1 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (North 2100th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (East 675th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (East 700th Avenue): Navigation decision point.

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 3h 54m. Total distance: 173.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 47.4 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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: near the start (North 2100th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (East 675th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (East 700th Avenue): Navigation decision point.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Bloomington, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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