Origin
Carol Stream, IL
Evening in Carol Stream on Sunday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carol Stream, IL to Joliet, IL
Drive Time
56m
Distance
39 mi
63 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 52m
★
6 AM
0h 57m
8 AM
1h 6m
10 AM
1h 0m
12 PM
0h 59m
3 PM
1h 0m
5 PM
1h 5m
8 PM
0h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carol Stream, IL
Nikola Dumanovic
Joliet, IL
KITSUN YUEN
Trip Overview
If you are traveling from Carol Stream to Joliet, you are looking at a straightforward 39-mile journey across the Illinois Midwest. Expect the drive to take roughly 56 minutes, making it an easy day trip that requires no overnight stops. With a fuel cost of about $6, this is a budget-friendly excursion that stays entirely within the state. Because there are zero planned stops along the way, you can easily complete this route in a single session. This drive functions best as a direct transit rather than a sightseeing tour, so plan your schedule accordingly. It is a practical, efficient way to connect these two points without any unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
19.5 miles from Carol Stream, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate your way between these two hubs. While you will spend a significant portion of your time on local roads like Maple Road and East North Avenue, you do get a break from the surface streets with a 25.9-mile stretch on the Veterans Memorial Tollway. This longest uninterrupted segment provides the most consistent speed, though the route overall maintains a highway share of 0% as you transition between varied road types. You will find that the personality of the drive shifts from suburban local navigation to more sustained highway movement. Be prepared to keep your focus on the road as the route demands frequent adjustments between these different driving environments.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Veterans Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 25.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Aztec Drive.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 39 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.2 miles (Aztec Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Thunderbird Trail): Navigation decision point; at 6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Aztec Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Aztec Drive
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Thunderbird Trail
Turn left onto Thunderbird Trail
Navigation decision point
5
6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the ramp toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
5
6.6 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge onto I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
32.5 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward US 6: Southwest Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1
Toward US 6: Southwest Highway
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | 25.9 mi | 30m |
| Maple Road | 5.7 mi | 11m |
| East North Avenue | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| North Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| Kuhn Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Ottawa Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West Thunderbird Trail | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Thunderbird Trail | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Tollway
— 25.9 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carol Stream, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on West Thunderbird Trail
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
West Thunderbird Trail
2
At end of road, turn right onto Aztec Drive
160 ft
·
12 sec
·
Aztec Drive
3
Turn left onto Thunderbird Trail
202 ft
·
14 sec
·
Thunderbird Trail
4
Turn left onto Kuhn Road
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Kuhn Road
5
Turn left onto IL 64
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Avenue
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on IL 64
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
East North Avenue
Use the left / uturn / none lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
this road
Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
9
Merge onto I 355
26 mi
·
30 min
·
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 1
Toward US 6: Southwest Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto US 6
5.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Maple Road
Use the none lane.
12
Turn left onto IL 53
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Ottawa Street
13
Turn right
111 ft
·
8 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 56-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about complex pacing or overnight logistics, but you should keep your $6 fuel budget in mind before you head out. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersection turns that define this turn-heavy path. Given that there are no standard stops built into this 39-mile stretch, ensure your vehicle is ready for the full distance before you leave Carol Stream. Using the Veterans Memorial Tollway for your longest stretch is your best strategy for maintaining momentum during the middle portion of the drive.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 19.5 miles from Carol Stream, IL, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.9 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 39 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.5 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Joliet, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carol Stream, 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 Carol Stream, IL
This is one driving day of about 39 miles and 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carol Stream, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Veterans Memorial Tollway for about 25.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.5 mi from Carol Stream, IL · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.5 miles from Carol Stream, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Joliet, IL
The final approach into Joliet, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Joliet, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.92 one way
$11.85 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.53 | $13.06 |
| premium | $4.80 | $7.36 | $14.72 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.66 | $17.33 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.81
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(25.9 mi)
$1.81
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
$6
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.10 | $1.87 |
| Efficient EV | 9.8 | 0 | $3.41 | $1.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.46 | $2.50 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Joliet, IL
Evening in Joliet on Sunday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
56m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Carol Stream, IL to Joliet, IL covers 39 miles and takes about 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Veterans Memorial Tollway, Maple Road, East North Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.5 miles from Carol Stream, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.92 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 39 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Aztec Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Thunderbird Trail): Navigation decision point; at 6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Carol Stream, IL to Joliet, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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