Bloomington IL to Chicago drive: Distance, time & best stops
The best road trip stops on the Bloomington IL to Chicago drive are Pontiac, the Gemini Giant and Old Joliet Prison. The distance from Bloomington IL to Chicago by car is 134 miles, with a 2h19m driving time.
Finding the best things to do between Bloomington IL to Chicago
The Bloomington to Chicago drive is a road trip through Illinois that ends up at one of the greatest cities on earth.
Our favourite thing to do in Chicago
The Chicago architecture cruise has a phenomenal wow factor, with the boat gliding between some of the world’s most legendary skyscrapers.
We found the commentary matches the views, too. Expect a fascinating run-down of the city’s history – and plenty of surprising detail about the buildings you’re seeing.
Bloomington IL has a handful of decent attractions. The biggest crowd pleaser, especially with kids in tow, is the Miller Park Zoo.
Adults might prefer the McLean County Museum of History, which looks at the time Abraham Lincoln spent as an attorney in Bloomington. The Prairie Aviation Museum, meanwhile, caters to plane geeks.
Highly recommended Chicago experiences include an architecture river cruise, a gangsters and ghosts tour of famous Mob sites and a bike tour of the lakefront neighbourhoods. It’s also worth paying a visit to the Field Museum. Or the 360 Chicago observation deck at the Hancock Tower. Or the Chicago Architecture Center.
Bloomington IL to Chicago distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Bloomington IL to Chicago is 134 miles. That makes for a driving time of around 2h19m. The quickest route is along the I-55.
The best stops to add to a Bloomington IL to Chicago road trip itinerary are Pontiac, the Gemini Giant and Old Joliet Prison.
Attractions between Bloomington IL and Chicago: Pontiac
Those with a thing for American cars will probably fancy a peek at the Pontiac-Oakland Museum, but lovers of road trips will gravitate towards the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum.
This museum is a much-loved collection of Route 66 memorabilia, with buses, vans, signs and all matter of little oddities that will help road-trippers stock up on ideas for next time.
Bloomington IL to Chicago drive: The Gemini Giant
The Gemini Giant is one of those wonderfully silly attractions that makes Route 66 such a splendidly quirky drive.
Dressed in green, but wearing an astronaut’s helmet, this 30ft tall statue supposedly celebrates the Gemini space program. The giant holds a silver rocket ship in his hands, and you’ll find him outside the Launching Pad drive-in in Wilmington IL.
Bloomington IL to Chicago road trip stops: Old Joliet Prison
The Old Joliet Prison has enjoyed plenty of big screen fame. It features in both the Blues Brothers and Prison Break. Prisoners were housed here from 1858 to 2002, but now it’s open to tourists.
You can take a self-guided tour, or sign up for the guided ghost tours. The best bets, however, are the general history tours. These 90 minute guided walks around the prison are full of stories about the building and inmates.
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