Spanning 268.3 miles, this trek between Summit and Bolingbrook is a substantial journey that clocks in at approximately 4 hours and 59 minutes. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you should plan for a full day on the road rather than a quick afternoon commute. You can expect to spend roughly $41 on fuel, so factor that into your travel budget before heading out. While both locations are within the Midwest, the distance suggests a focused, one-day itinerary. It is a straightforward trip that serves its purpose well if you are prepared for a consistent pace behind the wheel.
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
134.1 miles from Summit, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
255.8 mi
4h 37m
IL 157
6 mi
9m
Illinois Route 161
4.1 mi
6m
South Bolingbrook Drive
1.1 mi
2m
Saint Clair Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Hanna Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
North Bolingbrook Drive
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 255.8 mi, about 4h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Summit, IL and Bolingbrook, IL.
1
Start on Hanna Drive
0.2 mi·43 sec·Hanna Drive
2
Turn right onto IL 161
4.1 mi·6 min·Illinois Route 161
3
At end of road, turn left onto Saint Clair Avenue
0.4 mi·35 sec·Saint Clair Avenue
4
Turn right
0.2 mi·37 sec
5
Turn straight onto IL 157
6.0 mi·9 min·IL 157
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·27 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Chicago, Indianapolis
7
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
7.8 mi·8 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 267Toward IL 53: Bolingbrook, RomeovilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto IL 53
1.1 mi·2 min·South Bolingbrook Drive
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on IL 53
0.1 mi·24 sec·North Bolingbrook Drive
14
Arrive at destination
IL 53
Trip Plan
Since this is a full-day commitment, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the latter half of your journey. You have one scheduled stop planned, which provides a necessary opportunity to stretch your legs and refresh your focus given the turn-heavy nature of the roads. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between Route 161 and Saint Clair Avenue, as the frequent turns can be taxing over such a long distance. Flexibility is your best asset here; since the route is local-focused, use your single stop to refuel and recalibrate your route if traffic patterns shift. Staying mindful of your fuel consumption will ensure you stay within your $41 budget.
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 134.1 miles from Summit, IL, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 255.8 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 59 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.1 miles or 2h 31m 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 4m
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 Summit, 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 Summit, IL
This is one driving day of about 268.3 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Summit, 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 255.8 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.9 and 266.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.9 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the ramp toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Chicago, Indianapolis
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Chicago, Indianap...
6
18.8 mi into trip|~27m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springf...
7
126.7 mi into trip|~2h 23m 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
156.1 mi into trip|~2h 55m 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
266.8 mi into trip|~4h 56m 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
$41.95 one way
$83.89 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$46.05
$92.11
premium
$4.89
$51.63
$103.26
diesel
$5.61
$59.24
$118.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.5
0
$28.17
$12.88
Efficient EV
67.1
0
$23.48
$10.73
EV Truck/SUV
107.3
1
$37.56
$17.17
Gas CO2
94 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Summit, IL
Morning
in Summit on Sunday
Local time
6:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bolingbrook, IL
Morning
in Bolingbrook on Sunday
Local time
6:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Springfield, IL
134 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
11 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 59m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly tactile experience on this road, as it is defined by its turn-heavy local nature rather than high-speed interstate cruising. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend the entirety of your 4-hour and 59-minute journey navigating surface streets and local arteries. You will primarily utilize Route 161 and Saint Clair Avenue, supplemented by segments of I-55 North to make progress. Because the drive lacks long, uninterrupted stretches, you will need to stay alert for frequent changes in direction and pace. This is a hands-on drive that requires your full attention compared to a standard, monotonous highway commute.
99% 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: 255.8 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 157. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10.9 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 268.3 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 10.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Summit, IL and Bolingbrook, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 59m. Total distance: 268.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 255.8 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Bolingbrook, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Bolingbrook, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
