Getting from Bloomington to Chicago Ridge: Route Options and Drive Times
Are you planning a trip from Bloomington, Illinois to Chicago Ridge, Illinois? Whether you are heading up for a visit to family or just for a weekend getaway, it’s important to know all the different driving options available to you, as well as how long each route can take. So, let’s take a look at some of the different routes you can take and the expected drive times for each.
Option 1: Interstate 55 and 294
Our first option is to take I-55 N and then merge onto I-294 N towards the Chicago O’Hare International Airport. This is probably the easiest and most direct option, but it can also be the most congested, especially during peak travel times.
The distance from Bloomington to Chicago Ridge is approximately 130 miles. Depending on traffic, this route can take anywhere from 2 hours to 2 hours and 45 minutes.
If you’re looking for some good places to stop along the way, try checking out Pontiac, Illinois, which is known for its Route 66 memorabilia, or head over to Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, Illinois, which is less than 30 minutes outside of Chicago.
Option 2: US-55 and US-45
Another route you can take is to head north on US-55 and then east on US-45. This route can take you through some beautiful rural areas as well as some small towns filled with lots of charm.
The distance from Bloomington to Chicago Ridge via this route is approximately 140 miles. With good traffic, you can expect this route to take you about 2 hours and 20 minutes.
For some fun stops along the way, try checking out the small town of Dwight, Illinois, where you can find the famous Ambler-Becker Texaco Gas Station, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Another fun stop could be at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park, Illinois.
Option 3: IL-47 and I-290
If you’re looking for a route that takes you through some of the quaint villages and towns surrounding Chicago, this could be the option for you. You can take IL-47 to I-290 E and drive through towns like Elgin, Schaumburg, and Oak Park.
The distance between Bloomington and Chicago Ridge via this route is approximately 140 miles. Traffic can be unpredictable with this route, but generally, you can expect to take at least 2 hours and 30 minutes.
For stops along the way, check out the beautiful Riverwalk in Naperville, Illinois, or take a tour of the Fabyan Villa Museum in Batavia.
No matter which route you decide to take, there is so much to see and do between Bloomington and Chicago Ridge. So, pack your bags, get your GPS primed, and get ready to hit the road!