Connecting Edwardsville to Bolingbrook, this 249.5-mile journey is a straightforward trek across Illinois that typically takes 4 hours and 35 minutes. Because the route is primarily highway-focused, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $38 on fuel for the duration of the drive. Navigating through the heart of the Midwest, you will spend the vast majority of your time on I-55. It is a highly efficient path for those looking to move between these two points with minimal fuss or 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
124.8 miles from Edwardsville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
244 mi
4h 24m
Marine Road
2.5 mi
4m
South Bolingbrook Drive
1.1 mi
2m
IL 143
0.6 mi
<1m
East Vandalia Street
0.6 mi
1m
North Bolingbrook Drive
0.1 mi
<1m
South Buchanan Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 244 mi, about 4h 24m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,633 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,039
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Edwardsville, IL and Bolingbrook, IL.
1
Start on South Buchanan Street
120 ft·6 sec·South Buchanan Street
2
Turn right onto IL 143; IL 157
0.6 mi·1 min·East Vandalia Street
3
Continue on IL 143
2.5 mi·4 min·Marine Road
4
Turn left onto IL 143
0.6 mi·58 sec·IL 143
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 55
104 mi·1 hr 52 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 267Toward IL 53: Bolingbrook, RomeovilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto IL 53
1.1 mi·2 min·South Bolingbrook Drive
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on IL 53
0.1 mi·24 sec·North Bolingbrook Drive
12
Arrive at destination
IL 53
Trip Plan
To keep your 4 hour and 35 minute transit smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the monotony of the long I-55 stretch. Since the drive is entirely within Illinois, you can easily complete the trip in one day, giving you plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion, especially as you approach the Bolingbrook area. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early in the trip, as the $38 cost estimate assumes consistent highway driving. Since the majority of your time is spent on I-55, use your GPS to monitor real-time traffic updates so you can adjust your single stop accordingly.
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 124.8 miles from Edwardsville, IL, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 244 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 55 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.8 miles or 2h 17m 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 44m
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 Edwardsville, 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 Edwardsville, IL
This is one driving day of about 249.5 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Edwardsville, 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 244 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.7 and 248 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
3.7 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
4.1 mi into trip|~7m in|I 55
Merge onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
Merge point - match speed before joining. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
7
107.9 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
137.3 mi into trip|~2h 30m 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
248 mi into trip|~4h 31m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.85 one way
$73.69 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.68
$81.35
premium
$4.72
$46.32
$92.65
diesel
$4.80
$47.11
$94.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.9
0
$26.20
$11.98
Efficient EV
62.4
0
$21.83
$9.98
EV Truck/SUV
99.8
1
$34.93
$15.97
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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 18, 2026
Origin
Edwardsville, IL
Late night
in Edwardsville on Sunday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 to 12 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Bolingbrook, IL
Late night
in Bolingbrook on Sunday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 10 to 15 mph52% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
85°F
Bloomington, IL
125 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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 35m 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.
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...
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 249.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused interstate experience, as 98% of this trip is spent on highways. The journey is defined by a significant 244-mile stretch along I-55, which serves as the backbone of your travel. You will transition onto Marine Road and South Bolingbrook Drive only as you near your destination, providing a brief change of pace from the long interstate haul. The character of this drive is consistent and functional, prioritizing speed and directness over winding scenic alternatives. Be prepared for a steady, rhythmic pace that keeps you moving toward your goal without the interruption of frequent technical turns.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 244 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Marine Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 35m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
811 ft546 ft
Total Climb
383 ft
Total Descent
339 ft
Highest Point
811 ft
~142.6 mi in
Elevation Range
266 ft
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 Edwardsville, IL to Bolingbrook, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
The longest stretch is about 244 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Bolingbrook, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
