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Trip from Riverwoods, 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 57m

Distance

147.3 mi

237 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 47m ★
6 AM
2h 58m
8 AM
3h 20m
10 AM
3h 6m
12 PM
3h 3m
3 PM
3h 7m
5 PM
3h 19m
8 PM
2h 51m

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 Riverwoods, IL, IL

Riverwoods, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

This 147.3-mile drive from Riverwoods, IL, to Bloomington, IL, is a straightforward trip designed for a single day. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 57 minutes on the road, with a projected fuel cost of around $23. The route is heavily focused on highways, with 77% of the journey utilizing them, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. Given the relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, this trip is perfectly suited as a day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region for the entire journey, passing through familiar Illinois landscapes.

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

73.7 miles from Riverwoods, 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 108.7 mi 2h 1m
Tri-State Tollway 29.5 mi 36m
I 55 Business 3.1 mi 5m
East Empire Street 1.6 mi 3m
Deerfield Road 1.1 mi 2m
North Veterans Parkway 0.9 mi 1m
East Mulberry Street 0.3 mi <1m
North Clinton Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 108.7 mi, about 2h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Portwine Road

6 ft · 7 sec · Portwine Road
2

Turn left onto Deerfield Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Deerfield Road
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
4

Merge onto I 94

0.8 mi · 53 sec · Tri-State Tollway
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

23 mi · 28 min · Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare Use the slight right lane.
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.
10

Merge onto I 55

109 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

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.
12

Continue on I 55 Business

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Veterans Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 22 sec
Toward IL 9 West: Pekin Use the right lane.
14

Turn straight onto IL 9

1.6 mi · 3 min · East Empire Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15

Turn left onto US 150

0.3 mi · 50 sec · North Clinton Street
Use the left lane.
16

Turn right onto East Mulberry Street

0.3 mi · 59 sec · East Mulberry Street
17

Turn left onto North Prairie Street

275 ft · 14 sec · North Prairie Street
18

Turn right onto East Douglas Street

504 ft · 23 sec · East Douglas Street
19

Turn right onto US 51 Business

0.1 mi · 15 sec · North East Street
20

Arrive at destination

US 51 Business

Trip Plan

For this 2 hour and 57 minute drive, starting your journey in the morning will help you beat potential traffic, especially on the initial highway segments. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 147.3 miles, you have ample flexibility to depart when convenient. Factor in the estimated $23 fuel cost and ensure your tank is full before departing Riverwoods. Keep an eye on road signs for transitions between the major expressways and I-55 Business as you near Bloomington to ensure a smooth arrival.

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 73.7 miles from Riverwoods, IL, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.7 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 32 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 73.7 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 21m

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 Riverwoods, 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 Riverwoods, IL

This is one driving day of about 147.3 miles and 2h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Riverwoods, 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 108.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Joliet, IL

74 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

Downers Grove, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Joliet, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.7 miles from Riverwoods, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108.7 miles.

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.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch · 38min in 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

Subway

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Romeoville, Illinois

2 mi

Falco's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Burr Ridge, Illinois

2.8 mi

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

Subway

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18155243248

Visit website

Falco's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16306544644

Visit website

Taco Bell

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Countryside, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+17083545535

Visit website

El Barrio Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18153721100

Visit website

LongHorn Steakhouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately

Bolingbrook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16307830684

Visit website

Gio's Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+18159053987

Visit website

Sushi Ya

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+18157303838

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

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

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 140.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
2.2 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
6
29.6 mi into trip | ~38m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
30.9 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the exit toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

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

Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
7
31.5 mi into trip | ~40m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
140.7 mi into trip | ~2h 43m 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...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.03 one way

$46.06 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.28 $50.57
premium $4.89 $28.35 $56.69
diesel $5.61 $32.52 $65.04

Estimated Tolls: $1.77

Tri-state Tollway (29.5 mi) $1.77

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.2 0 $15.47 $7.07
Efficient EV 36.8 0 $12.89 $5.89
EV Truck/SUV 58.9 0 $20.62 $9.43

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

17 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 21, 2026

Origin

Riverwoods, IL

Morning in Riverwoods on Tuesday

Local time

7:12 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bloomington, IL

Morning in Bloomington on Tuesday

Local time

7:12 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 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 57m 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.

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...

16 mi from route ~41 min detour Free near mile 30.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 77% of the 147.3 miles on high-speed roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 108.7 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, indicating long, uninterrupted driving segments. While the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and Tri-State Tollway offer efficient travel, the inclusion of I-55 Business suggests a transition to slightly more localized, potentially slower traffic as you approach your destination. The overall character is one of steady progress on well-maintained roadways.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.7 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 147.3 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 2.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

On the drive from Riverwoods, IL to Bloomington, IL, road signs begin pointing toward St. Louis along the way.

St. Louis

30.9 mi in | ~39m

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 57m. Total distance: 147.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 108.7 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.77 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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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