This 265.1-mile drive from Bennington to Naperville, Illinois, is a straightforward trip that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 44 minutes. It's primarily a highway-focused journey, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day road trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $41, it's an economical option for exploring within the Midwest. The route is designed for efficient travel, so if you're looking to get from point A to point B without many detours, this is a solid choice. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, so plan accordingly for potential traffic, especially as you approach your destination.
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
132.6 miles from Bennington, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
128.3 mi
2h 17m
IL 33
36.3 mi
53m
US 45
18.2 mi
25m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
18.1 mi
20m
500E
14.3 mi
19m
South Van Buren Street
11 mi
15m
County Road 1100 East
6.7 mi
9m
Illinois Route 16
5.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 128.3 mi, about 2h 17m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~865 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~101 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 5 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bennington, IL and Naperville, IL.
1
Start on 100E
105 ft·6 sec·100E
2
Turn right onto 095E
0.1 mi·30 sec·095E
3
At end of road, turn right onto 1900N
0.3 mi·1 min·1900N
4
Turn right onto 125E
0.5 mi·1 min·125E
5
Turn left onto County Road 1850 N
3.8 mi·9 min·County Road 1850 N
6
Turn left onto IL 130
14 mi·19 min·500E
7
Continue on IL 130; IL 250
2.5 mi·4 min·South West Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on IL 130
6.7 mi·9 min·County Road 1100 East
9
Continue on IL 130
11 mi·15 min·South Van Buren Street
10
Turn right onto IL 33; IL 130
36 mi·53 min·IL 33; IL 130
11
Turn left onto IL 16
2.5 mi·4 min·Lincoln Avenue
12
Continue on IL 16
5.3 mi·7 min·Illinois Route 16
13
Continue on IL 16
0.4 mi·38 sec·Charleston Avenue East
14
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
15
Merge onto I 57
128 mi·2 hr 17 min·I 57
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Exit 318Toward Bourbonnais Parkway
17
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·Bourbonnais Parkway
18
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
18 mi·25 min·US 45; US 52
19
Turn left onto West Steger Road
0.2 mi·54 sec·West Steger Road
20
Turn right onto Wolf Road
2.3 mi·4 min·Wolf Road
21
Turn left onto US 30
3.8 mi·5 min·Lincoln Highway
22
Continue on US 30
0.3 mi·26 sec·East Maple Street
23
Continue on US 30
442 ft·10 sec·West Lincoln Highway
24
Turn right onto North Cedar Road
2.4 mi·5 min·North Cedar Road
25
Turn left onto US 6
0.2 mi·18 sec·Maple Road
26
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·57 sec
Toward I 355 Toll North: West SuburbsUse the right lane.
27
Merge onto I 355
18 mi·20 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 20BToward US 34: Ogden AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
76 ft·4 sec
Toward US 34: LisleUse the left lane.
30
Turn left onto US 34
5.1 mi·10 min·East Ogden Avenue
31
Turn right onto North Washington Street
50 ft·1 sec·North Washington Street
32
Arrive at destination
North Washington Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 44-minute drive, starting your journey in the morning is advisable to avoid potential afternoon traffic, particularly as you near Naperville. Given the longest stretch is over 128 miles, plan for one significant stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. The estimated fuel cost of $41 is a good budget baseline, but it's always wise to have a little extra. Since this is a manageable single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when it suits you best. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on that 128.3-mile segment on I 57.
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 132.6 miles from Bennington, IL, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.3 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 58 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.6 miles or 3h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Naperville, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bennington, 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 Bennington, IL
This is one driving day of about 265.1 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Bennington, 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 57 for about 128.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 259.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|095E
Turn right onto 095E
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|1900N
At end of road, turn right onto 1900N
Navigation decision point
5
212.5 mi into trip|~4h 26m in
Take the exit toward Bourbonnais Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 318
Toward Bourbonnais Parkway
7
259.6 mi into trip|~5h 32m in
Take the exit toward US 34: Ogden Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 20B
Toward US 34: Ogden Avenue
8
259.9 mi into trip|~5h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 34: Lisle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 34: Lisle
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.15 one way
$78.30 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$43.22
$86.44
premium
$4.72
$49.22
$98.44
diesel
$4.80
$50.06
$100.11
Estimated Tolls: $1.27
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(18.1 mi)$1.27
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
$39
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.5
0
$27.84
$12.72
Efficient EV
66.3
0
$23.20
$10.60
EV Truck/SUV
106
1
$37.11
$16.97
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Bennington, IL
Late night
in Bennington on Monday
Local time
1:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 0 to 6 mph63% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Naperville, IL
Late night
in Naperville on Monday
Local time
1:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Smoke
SSW 0 to 10 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
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
1 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
5h 44m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 246.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this 265.1-mile journey. With 71% of the route utilizing highways, you'll experience significant stretches of faster-paced travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a considerable 128.3 miles on I 57, offering a chance to settle in for a good portion of the drive. While the primary roads are I 57, IL 33, and US 45, the character is largely defined by its efficiency rather than winding scenic byways. This means you'll be covering ground quickly, with less emphasis on leisurely cruising and more on making steady progress.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.3 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 33. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 095E.
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 265.1 miles you will encounter 21 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: near the start (095E): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (1900N): Navigation decision point; at 212.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Naperville is a bedroom community in the Chicagoland area. In 2008, Money magazine ranked Naperville third on its list of the 100 best places to live in the United States.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 44m. Total distance: 265.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.3 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.27 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 18 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (095E): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (1900N): Navigation decision point; at 212.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Naperville, IL before the return drive.
