Drive Time
49m
Distance
35.2 mi
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
The drive from Carol Stream, IL to Joliet, IL covers 35.2 miles and takes about 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Aztec Drive, Thunderbird Trail, Kuhn Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.23 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
17.6 miles from Carol Stream, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Expect a 49m drive with frequent turns across 35.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Aztec Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Thunderbird Trail | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Kuhn Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East North Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 355 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 6 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Carol Stream, IL and Joliet, IL.
Start on West Thunderbird Trail
At the end of the road, turn right onto Aztec Drive
Turn left onto Thunderbird Trail
Turn left onto Kuhn Road
Turn left onto North Avenue
Continue on East North Avenue
Take the ramp slight right toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
Continue on I 355 Toll South: Joliet
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Southwest Highway
Turn right onto Maple Road
Turn left onto North Ottawa Street
Turn right
Arrive at your destination
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 35.2 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.6 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Joliet, IL than in the middle of the route.
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 35.2 miles and 49m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.6 mi from Carol Stream, IL · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17.6 miles from Carol Stream, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$5.23 one way
$10.45 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.89 | $11.79 |
| premium | $4.65 | $6.45 | $12.90 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $7.35 | $14.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.3 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.70 | $1.69 |
| Efficient EV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.08 | $1.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.93 | $2.25 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Carol Stream on Saturday
Local time
6:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Joliet on Saturday
Local time
6:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
46°F
Wheaton, IL
18 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
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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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