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Find a rental car in Bloomington-Normal with Road Genius. Compare prices of vehicles from dozens of brands all around Illinois with no reservation fees. Pick up at Central Illinois Regional Airport BMI for walk-off convenience or choose a downtown counter to dodge extra fees and be on I-55, I-74, or I-39 in minutes. We show the total cost upfront so you can grab an economy car, SUV, or minivan and cruise Route 66 to Chicago or St. Louis without surprises.
| Location | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Central Illinois Regional Airport (BMI) |
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| Downtown Bloomington & Normal Locations |
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Major rental providers include Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Alamo and National. The airport is approximately 5 miles (8 km) from downtown, making either option viable depending on your arrival method and schedule.
On average, car rentals in Bloomington (IL) cost around $74 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $33 per day.
Compare airport vs. city pickups. Downtown Bloomington/Normal counters skip the 11 % airport concession fee and daily facility charge. If your flight lands during business hours, a short Uber ride downtown can shave 15-20 % off the bill.
Watch the ISU calendar. Graduation, move-in and homecoming weekends send rates soaring and fleets sell out. Book early for those dates, but in quiet months (Jan-Feb) you can often snag last-minute deals.
Split your trip to cut days. Riding Amtrak to Normal, then renting only for the days you'll actually drive, often beats a week-long airport rental. Most city locations offer free local pick-up.
Stack discounts. Check corporate, AAA or university affiliate codes when you run your comparison search; they regularly drop prices 10-15 %.
City parking: Downtown Bloomington has metered street spaces and city garages that offer limited free time. Uptown Normal has a deck at Uptown Station where you can park free for a short period. Enforcement is 8 AM-5 PM on weekdays.
Campus parking: Watch out for university restrictions. Visitor spaces on Illinois State University campus require permits on weekdays.
Local driving rules:
Speed limits:
Get a car rental to see:
Historic Route 66 towns – Sprague's Super Service, Atlanta giant hot dog, Funks Grove maple syrup shop
Starved Rock State Park – river vistas, hiking trails
Chicago – museums, lakefront
Springfield – Abraham Lincoln sites
What's the best way to travel from Chicago to Bloomington-Normal? You have a few choices. You can drive south on I-55, which takes about 2 hours. Or, you can take one of Amtrak's regular trains between Chicago and Normal. If you only need a car for part of your trip, think about taking the train and renting a car when you get there.
Can I find electric vehicle (EV) rentals in Bloomington-Normal? It's hard to find EV rentals, but more are becoming available. Hertz sometimes has Tesla models you can rent. If you really want an EV, you should check ahead of time. What's available can change based on the season and rental location.
How does weather affect driving in different seasons? In winter (November–March), you'll find snow and ice, so you'll need to drive carefully. This sometimes causes delays. In the summer, thunderstorms can cause heavy downpours that make it hard to see. Driving is usually easiest in the spring and fall, but spring can be very windy.
Do I need an AWD vehicle in winter? You don't have to have one, but an AWD vehicle will give you better grip in the snow. Most of the time, a standard front-wheel drive car using all-season tires is fine if you drive carefully. You should think about getting an AWD vehicle if you plan to travel during a big snowstorm or into the countryside.
Are there any events that affect rental availability? Yes, events at Illinois State University really affect car rental availability and prices. During graduation weekend in May, move-in weekend in mid-August, homecoming and parent weekends, you may find that all rental cars are booked. If you plan to visit then, you should book your car far in advance.
Can I take a rental car on Historic Route 66? Absolutely. Bloomington-Normal is right on historic Route 66, and rental companies will let you drive on it. In fact, many tourists rent cars just so they can explore Route 66 attractions between Chicago and St. Louis.
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