Origin
Bolingbrook, IL
Evening in Bolingbrook on Tuesday
Local time
6:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bolingbrook, IL to Lake Forest, IL
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
51.2 mi
82 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 5m
★
6 AM
1h 11m
8 AM
1h 22m
10 AM
1h 15m
12 PM
1h 14m
3 PM
1h 16m
5 PM
1h 22m
8 PM
1h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Forest, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Bolingbrook, IL to Lake Forest, IL covers 51.2 miles and takes about 1h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Tri-State Tollway, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, West Deerpath for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 33.8 miles on Tri-State Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.00 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
25.6 miles from Bolingbrook, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 11m drive with frequent turns across 51.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 33.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 51.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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
5
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge onto I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
10.8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
6
17.5 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
46.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward IL 60: Town Line Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 19
Toward IL 60: Town Line Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Tollway | 33.8 mi | 41m |
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 9.6 mi | 12m |
| West Deerpath | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| North Bolingbrook Drive | 1 mi | 2m |
| Townline Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| W Kennedy Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Townline Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North McKinley Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 33.8 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bolingbrook, IL and Lake Forest, 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
9.6 mi
·
12 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
3 min
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Use the right lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
6
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
29 mi
·
35 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 19
Toward IL 60: Town Line Road
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn straight onto IL 60
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
East Townline Road
10
Continue on IL 60
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Townline Road
11
Continue on IL 60
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
W Kennedy Road
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 41
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
14
Turn right onto West Deerpath
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
West Deerpath
15
Turn left onto North McKinley Road
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
North McKinley Road
16
Turn slight right onto East Woodland Road
204 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Woodland Road
17
Turn slight left onto Griffith Road
71 ft
·
3 sec
·
Griffith Road
18
Arrive at destination
Griffith Road
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 25.6 miles from Bolingbrook, IL, or about 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.8 miles.
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 51.2 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 25.6 miles or 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Forest, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 51.2 miles and 1h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bolingbrook, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 33.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.6 mi from Bolingbrook, IL · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 51.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.6 miles from Bolingbrook, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lake Forest, IL
The final approach into Lake Forest, 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 Lake Forest, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.00 one way
$16.01 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.79 | $17.58 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.85 | $19.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.30 | $22.61 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.03
Tri-state Tollway
(33.8 mi)
$2.03
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.38 | $2.46 |
| Efficient EV | 12.8 | 0 | $4.48 | $2.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.17 | $3.28 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Lake Forest, IL
Evening in Lake Forest on Tuesday
Local time
6:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
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
1h 11m 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 Lake Forest, IL covers 51.2 miles and takes about 1h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, West Deerpath. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 25.6 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 $8.00 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 is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 51.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Bolingbrook, IL to Lake Forest, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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