Origin
Bolingbrook, IL
Afternoon in Bolingbrook on Thursday
Local time
3:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bolingbrook, IL to Kankakee, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 13m
Distance
61.4 mi
99 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 8m
★
6 AM
1h 14m
8 AM
1h 25m
10 AM
1h 18m
12 PM
1h 17m
3 PM
1h 18m
5 PM
1h 25m
8 PM
1h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kankakee, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 61.4-mile drive from Bolingbrook, IL to Kankakee, IL is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 13 minutes. Primarily utilizing major highways like I-57, Veterans Memorial Tollway, and I-80, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion. You can expect a fuel cost of around $10 for this journey. Given its short distance and efficient routing, it’s a convenient option for a quick getaway or a visit between two points within the Midwest region of Illinois. No overnight stops are necessary.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 13m. Total distance: 61.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 61.4-mile route, with 72% of it on major interstates. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 32.3 miles on I-57, offering a consistent pace. While not typically known for scenic detours, this drive prioritizes efficiency, allowing you to cover ground quickly. The character of the road is largely one of smooth, direct travel, fitting for those prioritizing arrival time over leisurely exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 32.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Veterans Memorial Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 61.4 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Turn left toward I 55 North: Chicago
Navigation decision point
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 269
Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest...
7
3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 355 South: Southwest Suburbs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 355 South: Southwest Suburbs
6
15.2 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 0A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
6
59.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward IL 17: Kankakee, Momence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 312
Toward IL 17: Kankakee, Momence
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 32.3 mi | 35m |
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | 11.6 mi | 12m |
| I 80 | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| East Court Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| North Bolingbrook Drive | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 32.3 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bolingbrook, IL and Kankakee, IL.
1
Start on IL 53
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Bolingbrook Drive
2
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
3
Merge onto I 55
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 269
Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 355 South: Southwest Suburbs
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 355
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 0A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
8
Merge onto I 80
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 151A
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
10
Merge onto I 57
32 mi
·
35 min
·
I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 312
Toward IL 17: Kankakee, Momence
12
Turn right
260 ft
·
7 sec
13
Turn straight onto IL 17
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Court Street
14
Arrive at destination
IL 17
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.7 mi from Bolingbrook, IL · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.7 miles from Bolingbrook, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kankakee, IL
The final approach into Kankakee, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.60 one way
$19.20 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.54 | $21.08 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.82 | $23.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.56 | $27.11 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.81
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(11.6 mi)
$0.81
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$1
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.45 | $2.95 |
| Efficient EV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.37 | $2.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.60 | $3.93 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Kankakee, IL
Afternoon in Kankakee on Thursday
Local time
3:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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
1h 13m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Kankakee, IL covers 61.4 miles and takes about 1h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Veterans Memorial Tollway, I 80. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.7 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 $9.60 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 61.4 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Bolingbrook, IL to Kankakee, 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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