Origin
Swansea, IL
Late night in Swansea on Friday
Local time
5:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
98°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Swansea, IL to Schaumburg, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 38m
Distance
296.2 mi
477 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 25m
★
6 AM
5h 38m
8 AM
6h 5m
10 AM
5h 47m
12 PM
5h 45m
3 PM
5h 49m
5 PM
6h 3m
8 PM
5h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Swansea, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Schaumburg, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Swansea, IL to Schaumburg, IL is 296.2 miles and takes about 5h 38m via I 55 and Veterans Memorial Tollway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, specifically within Illinois, making it a straightforward trip between two points in the state. Given its profile as mostly highway, expect a relatively quick and efficient transit. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is ideal if you're looking for a direct path without extensive 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
148.1 miles from Swansea, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 253.5 mi | 4h 35m |
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | 19.2 mi | 24m |
| North Illinois Street | 8.4 mi | 13m |
| I 290 | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| Vandalia Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| East Higgins Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| South Morrison Avenue | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| West Higgins Road | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 253.5 mi, about 4h 35m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,681 veh/hr typical · worst 2,233
Quietest
2 AM
~156 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 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 Swansea, IL and Schaumburg, 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
112 mi
·
2 hr 3 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 269
Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
12
Merge onto I 355
19 mi
·
24 min
·
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 290
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 1B
Toward IL 72, IL 58: Higgins Road, Woodfield Road, Golf Road
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto IL 72
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Higgins Road
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on IL 72
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Higgins Road
17
Turn left onto North Roselle Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Roselle Road
18
Turn right onto West Thacker Street
0.1 mi
·
36 sec
·
West Thacker Street
19
Turn left onto North Pleasant Drive
426 ft
·
18 sec
·
North Pleasant Drive
20
Arrive at destination
North Pleasant Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 38m drive, consider an early morning departure from Swansea, IL. This allows you to cover the longest stretch of 253.5 miles on I 55 while traffic is typically lighter. With a fuel cost estimated around $46, plan to refuel before you leave or at a well-placed stop along I 55, as there's only one recommended stop for this route. The transition from I 55 to Veterans Memorial Tollway and then onto surface streets like North Illinois Street will require your attention as you get closer to Schaumburg.
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 148.1 miles from Swansea, IL, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 253.5 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 65 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.1 miles or 2h 46m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Schaumburg, 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 296.2 miles and 5h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 253.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 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 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 148.1 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 253.5 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 17 and 292.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
266.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 56m 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...
8
292.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 30m in
Take the exit toward IL 72, IL 58: Higgins Road, Woodfield Road, Golf Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 1B
Toward IL 72, IL 58: Higgins Road, Woodfield Ro...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.92 one way
$91.85 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
104 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $50.35 | $100.71 |
| premium | $4.93 | $57.47 | $114.93 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $65.29 | $130.58 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.35
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(19.2 mi)
$1.35
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
$46
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.9 | 1 | $31.10 | $14.22 |
| Efficient EV | 74.1 | 0 | $25.92 | $11.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.5 | 1 | $41.47 | $18.96 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Schaumburg, IL
Late night in Schaumburg on Friday
Local time
5:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 mph
19% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 11 at 5:54PM CDT until August 11 at 6:15PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 11 at 11:38AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
71°F
Bloomington, IL
148 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
16 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
5h 38m 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...
23 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 265.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a high highway percentage, with 87% of the 296.2 miles on major roadways like I 55. You'll experience a long stretch of 253.5 miles primarily on I 55, offering a consistent cruising experience. The final portion of your drive will transition to surface streets, including North Illinois Street, as you approach your destination. Expect a steady pace for most of the drive, with a shift to more varied traffic and exit patterns closer to Schaumburg.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 253.5 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Veterans Memorial Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 296.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 154.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
789 ft
548 ft
Total Climb
528 ft
Total Descent
287 ft
Highest Point
789 ft
~296.2 mi in
Elevation Range
241 ft
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 Schaumburg, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City, Peoria and Southwest Suburbs.
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
Southwest Suburbs
266.7 mi in
|
~4h 56m
About the Cities
Starting in Swansea, IL
Full guide →Arriving in Schaumburg, IL
Full guide →Schaumburg is a city in Chicagoland, best known for its ever popular Woodfield Mall, the largest mall in Illinois. Its name is derived from a place in Germany.
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 5h 38m. Total distance: 296.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 253.5 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.35 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.
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 Schaumburg, 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 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; at 154.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Schaumburg, IL before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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