Origin
Bolingbrook, IL
Morning in Bolingbrook on Thursday
Local time
11:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bolingbrook, IL to Chicago, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
36m
Distance
26.9 mi
43 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 33m
★
6 AM
0h 37m
8 AM
0h 43m
10 AM
0h 39m
12 PM
0h 38m
3 PM
0h 39m
5 PM
0h 42m
8 PM
0h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
This 26.9-mile drive from Bolingbrook, IL to Chicago, IL is a quick 36-minute journey that's perfect for a single day trip. You'll primarily be on I-55 North, also known as the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and Stevenson Expressway, as you head into the heart of Illinois's largest city. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $4, this route is very budget-friendly. The drive offers a straightforward path into Chicago, making it an easy addition to any Midwest exploration. Given its short distance, no overnight stays are necessary.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 36m. Total distance: 26.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 36-minute trip, despite its main roads being expressways. While the highway share is 0%, you'll still experience a dynamic approach to the city, transitioning from suburban arteries to the busy urban network. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't a major factor on this short drive, but be prepared for frequent adjustments as you navigate the various entrances and exits leading into Chicago. This route emphasizes local road navigation more than sustained highway cruising.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 North is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Bolingbrook, IL to Chicago, IL is easy. At 36m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Bolingbrook, IL to Chicago, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 North | — | — |
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | — | — |
| Stevenson Expressway | — | — |
| Damen Avenue | — | — |
| Ashland Market Place | — | — |
| South Damen Avenue | — | — |
| South Blue Island Avenue | — | — |
| West Cermak Road | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 55 North
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bolingbrook, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on North Bolingbrook Drive
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Bolingbrook Drive
2
Turn left onto I 55 North: Chicago
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 55 North: Chicago
3
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
19 mi
·
25 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
4
Continue on Stevenson Expressway
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Stevenson Expressway
5
Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
6
Keep slight left to continue on Damen Avenue
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Damen Avenue
7
Keep slight left to continue on Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
440 ft
·
13 sec
·
Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
8
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Damen Avenue
9
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Blue Island Avenue
10
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Cermak Road
11
Turn right
151 ft
·
11 sec
12
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
13
Arrive at your destination
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.21 one way
$8.41 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $4.62 | $9.23 |
| premium | $4.89 | $5.18 | $10.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.94 | $11.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.82 | $1.29 |
| Efficient EV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.35 | $1.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.77 | $1.72 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Chicago, IL
Morning in Chicago on Thursday
Local time
11:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 to 15 mph
39% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:58AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:30AM CDT until April 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
36m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bolingbrook, IL to Chicago, IL covers 26.9 miles and takes about 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55 North, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Stevenson Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.5 miles from Bolingbrook, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.21 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Bolingbrook, IL to Chicago, IL is easy. At 36m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Bolingbrook, IL to Chicago, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Bolingbrook, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
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