This 253.8-mile journey from Highland, IL, to Bolingbrook, IL, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 47 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-55 and IL-4, the route is almost entirely highway, making it a straightforward drive through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $40, it's an economical option for a quick trip. You'll experience a consistent driving pace for most of the journey, with a significant uninterrupted stretch of 233.3 miles on I-55. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from one point in Illinois to another without significant detours.
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
126.9 miles from Highland, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 47m. Total distance: 253.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for 99% of this 253.8-mile trip, predominantly on I-55. The character of the road is largely consistent, with the longest uninterrupted stretch measuring 233.3 miles on I-55, meaning you'll be in a high-speed, multi-lane environment for the vast majority of your travel. While IL-4 and IL-143 are part of the route, their share is minimal, offering only brief deviations from the interstate pace. This drive is about covering ground efficiently, with minimal twists and turns, allowing for a steady rhythm behind the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 233.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 4. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near US Highway 40.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 253.8 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.7 miles (US Highway 40): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 8.8 miles (IL 4): Navigation decision point; at 112.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|US Highway 40
Enter roundabout onto US Highway 40
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
8.8 mi into trip|~15m in|IL 4
Turn right onto IL 4
Navigation decision point
7
112.2 mi into trip|~2h 11m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
141.6 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
8
252.3 mi into trip|~4h 44m in
Take the exit toward IL 53: Bolingbrook, Romeoville
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 267
Toward IL 53: Bolingbrook, Romeoville
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Highland, IL to Bolingbrook, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
141.6 mi in|~2h 43m|via I 55
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
233.3 mi
4h 13m
IL 4
9.9 mi
14m
IL 143
7.6 mi
13m
South Bolingbrook Drive
1.1 mi
2m
Poplar Street
0.7 mi
1m
US Highway 40
0.5 mi
<1m
North Bolingbrook Drive
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 233.3 mi, about 4h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highland, IL and Bolingbrook, IL.
1
Start on this road
104 ft·2 sec·this road
2
Continue
123 ft·2 sec
3
Turn straight onto IL 160
0.7 mi·1 min·Poplar Street
4
Enter roundabout onto US Highway 40
274 ft·4 sec·US Highway 40
5
Continue on US Highway 40
0.5 mi·47 sec·US Highway 40
6
Continue on IL 143
7.6 mi·13 min·IL 143
Use the right lane.
7
Turn right onto IL 4
9.9 mi·14 min·IL 4
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
9
Merge onto I 55
93 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
111 mi·2 hr·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 267Toward IL 53: Bolingbrook, RomeovilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto IL 53
1.1 mi·2 min·South Bolingbrook Drive
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on IL 53
0.1 mi·24 sec·North Bolingbrook Drive
15
Arrive at destination
IL 53
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour, 47-minute duration, this trip is comfortably manageable as a single-day drive. Consider an early morning departure from Highland to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area near Bolingbrook. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $40, planning is straightforward. The longest stretch on I-55 means you can settle in, but be mindful of rest stops for comfort. A specific tip for this route: keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you get closer to the urban areas, as gas prices can sometimes fluctuate.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 126.9 miles from Highland, IL, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 233.3 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 56 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.9 miles or 2h 27m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bolingbrook, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Highland, 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 Highland, IL
This is one driving day of about 253.8 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Highland, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 233.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126.9 mi from Highland, IL
· 2h 27m into the drive
The midpoint is around 126.9 miles from Highland, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 233.3 miles.
Arriving in Bolingbrook, IL
The final approach into Bolingbrook, 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 Bolingbrook, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 78.8
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 253.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.68 one way
$79.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$43.57
$87.13
premium
$4.89
$48.84
$97.68
diesel
$5.61
$56.04
$112.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.1
0
$26.65
$12.18
Efficient EV
63.5
0
$22.21
$10.15
EV Truck/SUV
101.5
1
$35.53
$16.24
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Highland, IL
Late night
in Highland on Friday
Local time
5:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bolingbrook, IL
Late night
in Bolingbrook on Friday
Local time
5:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Springfield, IL
127 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
12 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
4h 47m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Highland, IL to Bolingbrook, IL covers 253.8 miles and takes about 4h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, IL 4, IL 143. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 126.9 miles from Highland, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.68 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 253.8 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.7 miles (US Highway 40): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 8.8 miles (IL 4): Navigation decision point; at 112.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Highland, IL to Bolingbrook, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
