Origin
Swansea, IL
Morning in Swansea on Sunday
Local time
6:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Swansea, IL to Bolingbrook, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 57m
Distance
266.4 mi
429 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 44m
★
6 AM
4h 58m
8 AM
5h 25m
10 AM
5h 7m
12 PM
5h 5m
3 PM
5h 9m
5 PM
5h 24m
8 PM
4h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Swansea, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 266.4-mile drive from Swansea, Illinois, to Bolingbrook, Illinois, is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 57 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing I-55. With a projected fuel cost of $42, this route is an economical option for getting between these two Midwest locations. The journey is largely uninterrupted, making it a convenient choice if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. Given its manageable length and the predominantly highway profile, it's well-suited for a day trip, though you could opt for an overnight stop if you prefer a more relaxed pace.
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
133.2 miles from Swansea, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 251.8 mi | 4h 33m |
| North Illinois Street | 8.4 mi | 13m |
| Vandalia Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| South Morrison Avenue | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| South Bolingbrook Drive | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| North Belt West | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Bolingbrook Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 251.8 mi, about 4h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Swansea, IL and Bolingbrook, IL.
1
Start on IL 161
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Belt West
2
Turn left onto IL 159
8.4 mi
·
13 min
·
North Illinois Street
3
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Morrison Avenue
4
Continue on IL 159
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Vandalia Street
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
6
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 55; I 70; US 40
7
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
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
111 mi
·
2 hr
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 267
Toward IL 53: Bolingbrook, Romeoville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto IL 53
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Bolingbrook Drive
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on IL 53
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Bolingbrook Drive
13
Arrive at destination
IL 53
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 57-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your time at your destination and avoid potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself; however, planning a fuel and rest break around the halfway point is a good strategy. The longest stretch on I-55 is over 250 miles, so be sure to top off your tank before you begin or during your first major highway segment. The $42 fuel cost is an estimate, so checking current prices is wise before you leave Swansea.
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 133.2 miles from Swansea, IL, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 251.8 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 133.2 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 3m
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 Swansea, 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 Swansea, IL
This is one driving day of about 266.4 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Swansea, 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 251.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 133.2 miles from Swansea, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 251.8 miles.
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 85 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 264.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IL 159 / North Illinois Street
Turn left onto IL 159 / North Illinois Street
Navigation decision point
6
17 mi into trip
|
~25m 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
124.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m 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
154.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m 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
264.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 54m 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
$41.65 one way
$83.30 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $45.73 | $91.46 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.27 | $102.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.82 | $117.64 |
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: 93.2 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 | 79.9 | 0 | $27.97 | $12.79 |
| Efficient EV | 66.6 | 0 | $23.31 | $10.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.6 | 1 | $37.30 | $17.05 |
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.
Destination
Bolingbrook, IL
Morning in Bolingbrook on Sunday
Local time
6:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Springfield, IL
133 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 57m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 91.9
View on nps.gov
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 266.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway experience, with 95% of the drive taking place on high-speed roads. You'll spend the majority of your time on I-55, experiencing a long, uninterrupted stretch of 251.8 miles. While the main roads also include North Illinois Street and Vandalia Street, these are likely to be shorter segments connecting you to the interstate. Expect a consistent pace suitable for covering distance, rather than a winding, scenic tour. The drive's character remains largely consistent, focusing on efficient travel.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 251.8 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North Illinois Street. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near IL 159 / North Illinois Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 266.4 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.3 miles (IL 159 / North Illinois Street): Navigation decision point; at 17 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.8 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Swansea, IL and Bolingbrook, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
Springfield
17 mi in
|
~25m
|
via I 55
Kansas City
17 mi in
|
~25m
|
via I 55
Peoria
154.2 mi in
|
~2h 53m
|
via I 55
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 266.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 251.8 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 0.3 miles (IL 159 / North Illinois Street): Navigation decision point; at 17 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.8 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 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Bolingbrook, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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