Origin
Bolingbrook, IL
Afternoon in Bolingbrook on Sunday
Local time
4:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
4h 33m
Distance
249 mi
401 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Edwardsville, IL
Stéphane Tendon
If you are planning to travel from Bolingbrook to Edwardsville, you are looking at a straightforward 249-mile journey through the Illinois heartland. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 33 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable trip to complete in a single day. With a fuel budget of approximately $38, it is an economical route for a quick weekend getaway or a necessary business transit. You will spend the vast majority of your time cruising on I-55, which keeps the navigation simple and predictable. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the terrain remains consistent throughout the drive. Whether you choose to head out early for a full day of activity or take a leisurely afternoon departure, this route offers reliable connectivity between these two Illinois hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
124.5 miles from Bolingbrook, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
This trip is defined by its efficiency, as 99% of your travel takes place on high-speed highways. You will spend the overwhelming majority of your time on I-55, which accounts for a massive 244.1-mile uninterrupted stretch. Because the route is so heavily focused on the interstate, you can expect a consistent, high-speed pace that minimizes the need for technical maneuvering. As you transition from the suburban feel of North Bolingbrook Drive toward the final turn onto IL-143, the landscape maintains the steady, rhythmic pulse typical of a highway-focused drive. It is a no-nonsense transit that prioritizes arrival time over winding backroads, perfect for drivers who prefer to set the cruise control and settle into a steady rhythm.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 143. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IL 53 / North Bolingbrook Drive.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 33m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IL 53 / North Bolingbrook Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 110.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Depart onto IL 53 / North Bolingbrook Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 55
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward IL 143: Edwardsville, Marine
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
On the drive from Bolingbrook, IL to Edwardsville, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Springfield
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 244.1 mi | 4h 24m |
| IL 143 | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| North Bolingbrook Drive | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| South Buchanan Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bolingbrook, IL and Edwardsville, IL.
Start on IL 53
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
Take the exit
Turn right onto IL 143
Continue on IL 143
Turn left onto South Buchanan Street
Arrive at destination
Since the entire journey covers 249 miles, you have the flexibility to complete the trip in one go without needing an overnight stay. To maximize your efficiency, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid potential traffic congestion near the start of your journey. You only need to plan for one major stop along the way, which is plenty to keep you refreshed for the duration of the 4-hour and 33-minute drive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 244.1-mile stretch on I-55 to ensure you are not caught off guard by fluctuating prices. By keeping your single stop efficient, you can easily maintain your schedule and reach Edwardsville without feeling fatigued by the time you pull off the interstate.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.5 miles or 2h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edwardsville, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Bolingbrook, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bolingbrook, IL
This is one driving day of about 249 miles and 4h 33m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.5 mi from Bolingbrook, IL · 2h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 124.5 miles from Bolingbrook, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 244.1 miles.
The final approach into Edwardsville, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Edwardsville, IL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$37.82 one way
$75.64 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $41.69 | $83.39 |
| premium | $4.80 | $47.01 | $94.01 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.32 | $110.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.7 | 0 | $26.15 | $11.95 |
| Efficient EV | 62.3 | 0 | $21.79 | $9.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.6 | 1 | $34.86 | $15.94 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Bolingbrook on Sunday
Local time
4:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Edwardsville on Sunday
Local time
4:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
53°F
Bloomington, IL
125 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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