Origin
Bull Valley, IL
Evening in Bull Valley on Sunday
Local time
5:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bull Valley, IL to Chicago, IL
Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
60.6 mi
97 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 36m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bull Valley, IL
Antonio López
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
If you are looking to head from the quiet outskirts of Bull Valley into the heart of Chicago, you are looking at a straightforward 59.7-mile journey. Plan for about 1 hour and 23 minutes of travel time, which makes this an easy candidate for a single-day trip. You won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay, as the distance is manageable for a quick turnaround. Budget roughly $9 for fuel to complete the trip, ensuring you have enough to cover the local roads. This route is a practical way to transition from the rural Midwest landscape into the dense urban environment of the city. Keep in mind that this is a direct, turn-heavy local drive, so it is best suited for those who prefer navigating suburban and city streets over high-speed interstate travel.
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
30.3 miles from Bull Valley, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a very different experience than a typical interstate highway cruise, as this route consists entirely of local roads with a 0% highway share. Because it is a turn-heavy local drive, you will need to stay alert and ready for frequent navigation changes throughout the 59.7-mile trip. The drive demands your full attention as you transition between local surface streets, making it a more technical experience than a straight shot down a major expressway. While the drive is relatively short in duration at 1 hour and 23 minutes, the lack of highway stretches means your pace will be dictated by local traffic patterns and intersection signals. You will spend the entire time navigating the nuances of the local road network rather than settling into a long, monotonous stretch of pavement.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Edens Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 13.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Edens Expressway and IL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in near V45 / South River Road.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 60.6 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 5.5 miles (V45 / South River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.8 miles (IL 60): Lane positioning matters here; at 32 miles (I 94 / Edens Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
5.5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
V45 / South River Road
At end of road, turn left onto V45 / South River Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
11.8 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
IL 60
Turn right onto IL 60
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
32 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
I 94 / Edens Spur
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Edens Spur toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
7
59.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward 18th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 52C
Toward 18th Street
6
60.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
West Cermak Road
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Edens Expressway | 13.7 mi | 17m |
| IL 60 | 10.6 mi | 17m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| Edens Spur | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| Bull Valley Road | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| US 45 | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| West Belvidere Road | 2.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Edens Expressway
— 13.7 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bull Valley, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on Bull Valley Road
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Bull Valley Road
2
Continue on A32
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Charles J Miller Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto V45
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South River Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on V45
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
Chapel Hill Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn slight right
208 ft
·
5 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West Elm Street
7
Continue on IL 120
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Rand Road
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on IL 120
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
West Belvidere Road
Use the none lane.
9
Turn right onto IL 60
11 mi
·
17 min
·
IL 60
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on US 45
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US 45
Use the left / none lanes.
11
Continue on Olde Half Day Road
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
Olde Half Day Road
Use the left / none lanes.
12
At end of road, turn left onto IL 22
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West Half Day Road
Use the left / none lanes.
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 94 East Toll: Indiana
14
Merge onto I 94
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the none lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Edens Spur
Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
Use the slight left lane.
16
Continue on I 94; US 41
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
Use the none lane.
18
Continue on I 90; I 94
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 52C
Toward 18th Street
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Union Avenue
21
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
505 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
22
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Halsted Street
23
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Cermak Road
Use the none lane.
24
Turn left
152 ft
·
11 sec
25
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this 1 hour and 23-minute drive relies exclusively on local roads, flexibility is your greatest advantage when planning your departure. Try to avoid peak rush hour traffic to keep your travel time consistent, as frequent turns and stops can become more tedious during congested periods. Because there are no designated stops on this route, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Bull Valley to avoid searching for a station along the way. Your $9 fuel budget is a conservative estimate, so keeping a little extra set aside for city driving is a smart move. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, double-check your GPS settings before you pull out of your driveway to ensure you are comfortable with the specific local roads the navigation suggests.
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 30.3 miles from Bull Valley, IL, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.7 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 60.6 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.3 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chicago, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bull Valley, 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 Bull Valley, IL
This is one driving day of about 60.6 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bull Valley, 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 Edens Expressway for about 13.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.3 mi from Bull Valley, IL · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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 60.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.3 miles from Bull Valley, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chicago, IL
The final approach into Chicago, 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 Chicago, 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
$9.20 one way
$18.41 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $10.15 | $20.29 |
| premium | $4.80 | $11.44 | $22.88 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.46 | $26.93 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.18
Tri-state Tollway
(2.9 mi)
$0.18
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
$9
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.2 | 0 | $6.36 | $2.91 |
| Efficient EV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.30 | $2.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.48 | $3.88 |
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
Chicago, IL
Evening in Chicago on Sunday
Local time
5:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
3 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 30m 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 Bull Valley, IL to Chicago, IL covers 60.6 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Edens Expressway, IL 60, Kennedy Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.3 miles from Bull Valley, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.20 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 13 significant decision points across 60.6 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 5.5 miles (V45 / South River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.8 miles (IL 60): Lane positioning matters here; at 32 miles (I 94 / Edens Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Bull Valley, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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