Origin
Bolingbrook, IL
Late night in Bolingbrook on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bolingbrook, IL to Kankakee, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
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.
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.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 59.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
Late night in Kankakee on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
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.
What kind of drive is this?
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.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.3 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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.
About the Cities
Arriving in Kankakee, IL
Full guide →Founded 1853
Top landmarks
- • Kankakee — Amtrak station in the Illinois city
- • Warren Hickox House — historic house in Illinois, United States
- • Kankakee County Courthouse — local government building in the United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.3 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.81 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Kankakee, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kankakee, IL before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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