- Must visit
McLean County Museum of History
Outstanding local history museum in a restored courthouse annex, featuring Abraham Lincoln, Route 66, and immersive county exhibits.
Cheapest price
$32
Average price
$43
Fastest journey
1 h 1 m
Average duration
1 h 9 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
139 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Joliet, IL to Bloomington, IL is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Joliet, IL to Bloomington, IL will cost around $43 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $32.
Of the 2 trains that leave Joliet, IL for Bloomington, IL on Thu, Aug 06, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Aug 06 the direct trains cover the 139 km distance in an average of 1 h 9 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 1 m .
On Thu, Aug 06 the slowest trains will take 1 h 16 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Joliet, IL to Bloomington, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $21. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 12m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $21, and a train costs an average of $21.
Distance: 86 miles (139 km)
Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|
$41 Average price Cheapest | $20 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 42m Average total duration Fastest 1h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 29m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
You'll arrive about 17m sooner (1h 12m by train vs 1h 29m by car). Tickets start at around $41 compared to roughly $20 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Direct services run with Amtrak.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Joliet, IL to Bloomington, IL trains for today, Wednesday, August 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1:12 PM Joliet, IL | 1h01 | 2:13 PM Bloomington, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:10 PM Joliet, IL | 1h15 | 12:25 AM Bloomington, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, August 6 | |||||
![]() | 1:00 AM Joliet, IL | 1h16 | 2:16 AM Bloomington, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Joliet, IL to Bloomington, IL run on average 4 times per day, taking around 1h 12m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $21 if you book in advance.
There are 4 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 07:06, the last at 20:17. The fastest train covers the 86 miles (139 km) distance in 1h 1m.
Distance 86 miles (139 km) |
Average train duration 1h 12m |
Cheapest ticket price $21 |
Trains per day 4 |
Direct trains 4 |
Fastest train 1h 1m |
First train 7:06 AM |
Last train 8:17 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 42 days |
Discover the best of Bloomington, IL — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bloomington, IL trip today.
Outstanding local history museum in a restored courthouse annex, featuring Abraham Lincoln, Route 66, and immersive county exhibits.
Children’s museum with hands-on science, art, and play exhibits in Uptown Normal; ideal for families and interactive learning.
University museum with rotating contemporary art, student work, and traveling exhibitions in a modern campus gallery.
Wide greenway trail favored for walking and biking, linking neighborhoods, schools, and parks across town.
Lively downtown district with historic buildings, shops, murals, and easy walking access to museums and performance venues.
Walkable mixed-use district in Normal with modern plazas, public art, events, and strong rail-and-campus energy.
The iconic Illinois horseshoe is thick toast topped with meat, fries, and cheese sauce. A hearty central Illinois comfort food locals love.
A pork tenderloin sandwich features a breaded, fried cutlet larger than the bun. It is a beloved Midwestern diner and tavern staple in the area.
Corn on the cob highlights Illinois farm country. In season, sweet local corn is a simple regional favorite at cookouts, fairs, and family meals.
Historic casual spot famous for burgers and the original cheese balls. Lively, nostalgic atmosphere and a long-standing local following.
Beloved local breakfast and lunch cafe known for hearty American classics, pies, and friendly small-town diner charm.
Upscale American dining in a restored historic building. Known for steaks, seafood, and polished service in an elegant setting.
Moderate for U.S. Midwest travel. Hotels and dining are usually below big-city prices, while transport often requires a car or rideshare, adding to visitor costs.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 15-20% for taxis or rideshares, and $1-2 at cafes for good service. Some bills include gratuity, so check first.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Joliet, IL to Bloomington, IL by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Bloomington, IL, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Joliet, IL to Bloomington, IL trains use the Joliet Station to Uptown Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Joliet, IL and Bloomington, IL train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Joliet Station has practical services for this route, including Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Ticket Office, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food and drink options are available at Joliet Station.
Ticket office support is available at Joliet Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Joliet Station.
Available at Joliet Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Joliet Station.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need