Central Illinois Regional Airport (CIRA), identified by the IATA code BMI, serves Bloomington-Normal and the greater Central Illinois region. From Paxton Inn Motel, a motel in Paxton, the drive from the airport takes about 64 minutes; renting a car is one way to make the trip.
- Airport: Central Illinois Regional Airport, or BMI
- Where it serves: Bloomington-Normal and greater Central Illinois
- Drive from Paxton: About 64 minutes
- Rental cars: Agencies are located inside the terminal
Where is Central Illinois Regional Airport?
Central Illinois Regional Airport serves the Bloomington-Normal area and the wider Central Illinois region. CIRA is the airport’s official name, while BMI is its IATA code, so either name may appear when you search for a flight or ground transportation.
Paxton is the county seat of Ford County in East Central Illinois. For a broader look at the airport choices for a Paxton trip, compare which airport works best for getting to Paxton.
How do you drive from BMI to Paxton?
The drive from the airport to Paxton takes about 64 minutes. Paxton is served by Interstate 57, U.S. Route 45 and Illinois Route 9, but the available route facts do not specify a particular road sequence from the airport.
Paxton Main Street places the town 25 miles north of Champaign-Urbana and 110 miles south of Chicago. If you are driving, use your preferred navigation service to choose a route for your arrival time rather than assuming a fixed sequence of roads.
CIRA says Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National have car-rental agencies inside the terminal, in the baggage claim area. If you plan to drive onward, check availability and pickup arrangements with your chosen agency before travelling.
What other airport transfer options are available?
Rental cars, rideshare, taxis and public transportation are among the ground-transport options associated with CIRA, but availability and convenience vary by destination.
CIRA says Uber and Lyft operate to and from the airport within the Central Illinois region, while describing taxi and rideshare options as limited. Public transportation is also available for some destinations. Check the official site before you go for current ground-transport details.
Other airports serving the area include General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport, University of Illinois Willard Airport and Greater Kankakee Airport.
How should you plan your arrival in Paxton?
Decide on your onward transport before leaving the airport: arrange a rental car, or check whether rideshare, taxi or public transportation suits your destination. If you are relying on a service with limited or destination-dependent availability, confirm the options for your arrival.
Once in Paxton, the city centre is about a 26-minute walk from the motel or about a 2-minute drive. The guide to getting around Paxton can help you think through local transportation after the airport transfer.
FAQs
Is BMI the same airport as Central Illinois Regional Airport?
Yes. Central Illinois Regional Airport is the official name, and BMI is its IATA code.
Can you rent a car at BMI?
Five rental agencies operate inside the terminal, in the baggage claim area. Confirm details with the airport or rental company before travelling.
Is public transportation available from the airport?
CIRA identifies public transportation among the airport’s ground-transport options, with availability depending on the destination.