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Trip from Colona, IL to Joliet, IL

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 22m

Distance

127.9 mi

206 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 12m ★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 42m
10 AM
2h 29m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 30m
5 PM
2h 41m
8 PM
2h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Colona, IL, IL

Colona, IL

Stéphane Tendon

city in Illinois, United States

Joliet, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Colona, IL to Joliet, IL covers 127.9 miles and takes about 2h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, Cleveland Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 122 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.00 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.

Midpoint

64 miles from Colona, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 127.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 22m highway drive covering 127.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 122 miles on I 80.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 122 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 4.3 miles in near I 80.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Colona, IL to Joliet, IL is easy. At 2h 22m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 4.3 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 127.6 miles (US 30 / West Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
4.3 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 East: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 East: Chicago
5
126.3 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in

Take the exit toward Center Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 131 Toward Center Street
4
127.6 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in | US 30 / West Jefferson Street

Turn right onto US 30 / West Jefferson Street

Navigation decision point

4
127.8 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in | Joliet Street

Turn left onto Joliet Street

Navigation decision point

4
127.9 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 122 mi 2h 12m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway 3.3 mi 3m
Cleveland Road 0.7 mi 1m
West Jefferson Street 0.3 mi <1m
South Center Street 0.3 mi <1m
Hickory Street 0.2 mi <1m
Joliet Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 122 mi, about 2h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Colona, IL and Joliet, IL.

1

Start on Cleveland Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Cleveland Road
2

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
3

Merge onto I 80; IL 110

3.3 mi · 3 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
4

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

122 mi · 2 hr 12 min · I 80
Toward I 80 East: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 131 Toward Center Street
6

Continue on South Center Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · South Center Street
7

Continue on Hickory Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Hickory Street
8

Turn right onto US 30

0.3 mi · 51 sec · West Jefferson Street
9

Turn left onto Joliet Street

174 ft · 6 sec · Joliet Street
10

Turn right

272 ft · 19 sec
11

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 64 miles from Colona, IL, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122 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 28 miles or 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 64 miles or 1h 10m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 54m

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 Colona, 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 Colona, IL

This is one driving day of about 127.9 miles and 2h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Colona, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 122 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 64 mi from Colona, IL · 1h 10m into the drive

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Peru, IL

64 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

Annawan, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Peru, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64 miles from Colona, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122 miles.

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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Silver Spoon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Joliet, Illinois

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 127.9

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18157256202

Visit website

La Mexicana Restaurant & Grocery Store

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ottawa, Illinois

2.5 mi

Silver Spoon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 127.9

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18157256202

Visit website

La Mexicana Restaurant & Grocery Store

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 82.2

Ottawa, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+18154334714

Visit website

Sushi Ya

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 127.9

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+18157303838

Visit website

Subway

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour Inexpensiv

Silvis, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+13097960996

Visit website

El Pueblo Mexican Grill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Silvis, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–7:30 pm

+13097556391

Culver’s

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 18.3

Geneseo, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+13099445300

Visit website

State Street Restaurant & Italian Pizza

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 127.9

Lockport, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+18158389116

Visit website

Champs Chicken

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour Inexpensiv mile 18.3

Geneseo, Illinois

Hours: 5 am–4 pm

+13099445811

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

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...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free near mile 127.9
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.00 one way

$39.99 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $21.95 $43.91
premium $4.89 $24.61 $49.23
diesel $5.61 $28.24 $56.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 38.4 0 $13.43 $6.14
Efficient EV 32 0 $11.19 $5.12
EV Truck/SUV 51.2 0 $17.91 $8.19

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Colona, IL

Night in Colona on Thursday

Local time

9:53 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Joliet, IL

Night in Joliet on Thursday

Local time

9:53 PM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

WNW 10 to 15 mph 31% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 16 at 2:08PM CDT until April 16 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:33PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

52°F

Peru, IL

64 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

22 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

2h 22m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Colona, IL to Joliet, IL covers 127.9 miles and takes about 2h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, Cleveland Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64 miles from Colona, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.00 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.
The drive from Colona, IL to Joliet, IL is easy. At 2h 22m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.3 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 127.6 miles (US 30 / West Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Colona, IL to Joliet, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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