Origin
Rockford, IL
Late night in Rockford on Tuesday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
86.3 mi
139 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rockford, IL
Wikimedia Commons
This 86.3-mile drive from Rockford, IL, to Bolingbrook, IL, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 49 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. The route utilizes major roadways like the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, I-355, and I-290, making for a generally efficient journey. With an estimated fuel cost of around $13, this Midwest to Midwest drive is budget-friendly. You'll find the drive to be a mixed bag, offering a practical way to travel between these two Illinois cities without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.1 miles from Rockford, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 49.5 mi | 53m |
| I 355 | 15.3 mi | 19m |
| I 290 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| IL 53 | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| West State Street | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| Charles Street | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| Hobson Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| South Alpine Road | 1 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford, IL and Bolingbrook, IL.
Start on West State Street
Turn right onto South Alpine Road
Continue on South Alpine Road
Turn right
Turn right onto Charles Street
Turn right onto South Mall Drive
Turn left onto Harrison Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 39; US 51
Take the exit
Merge onto I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 290; IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355
Take the exit
Turn right onto 63rd Street
Continue on Hobson Road
Turn left onto IL 53
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, this drive offers a lot of flexibility. You can depart at your convenience, but aim to avoid peak rush hour traffic if possible, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. There are no specific recommended stops built into this route, so you can plan your own breaks as needed. Keep in mind the longest stretch is nearly 50 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before setting out, especially since the estimated fuel cost is only $13. This is a drive where you can easily adjust your timing based on your schedule.
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.
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 19 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.1 miles or 53m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bolingbrook, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Rockford, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rockford, IL
This is one driving day of about 86.3 miles and 1h 49m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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.
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 43.1 miles from Rockford, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 28.6 and 80.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward 63rd Street, Hobson Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$13.49 one way
$26.98 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.81 | $29.63 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.61 | $33.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.05 | $38.11 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.46
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
$13
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.9 | 0 | $9.06 | $4.14 |
| Efficient EV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.55 | $3.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.5 | 0 | $12.08 | $5.52 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Rockford on Tuesday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Bolingbrook on Tuesday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:58AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:30AM CDT until April 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a journey that is predominantly highway driving, with 30% of the route being on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 49.5 miles along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. This drive offers a mixed profile, meaning you'll experience both faster highway sections and potentially some slower-paced segments as you navigate through different road types. The character of the road is primarily functional, designed for efficient travel between points rather than for scenic exploration.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.6 miles in near I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.3 miles you will encounter 15 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 28.6 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Rockford, IL to Bolingbrook, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Suburbs along the way.
Suburbs
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 86.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (30%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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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