Drive Time
5h 53m
Distance
308.3 mi
496 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
Photo: KITSUN YUEN
The drive from Crestwood, IL to Joliet, IL covers 308.3 miles and takes about 5h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, US 45 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 154.9 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.83 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
154.1 miles from Crestwood, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .
This is a 5h 53m highway drive covering 308.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 154.9 miles on I 57.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Ridgeway.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 308.3 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.1 miles (Ridgeway): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (McKinney Chapel Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (Lake Egypt Road): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Ridgeway
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto McKinney Chapel Road
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto Lake Egypt Road
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto IL 148
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 154.9 mi | 2h 45m |
| Ken Gray Expressway | 117.9 mi | 2h 7m |
| US 45 | 10.1 mi | 13m |
| Manhattan Road | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| West Joliet Road | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| Power Plant Road | 2.7 mi | 6m |
| West North Street | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| South State Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Crestwood, IL and Joliet, IL.
Start on Pinewood Drive
Turn right onto Ridgeway
Turn left onto McKinney Chapel Road
Continue on McKinney Chapel Road
Turn right onto Power Plant Road
At end of road, turn left onto Lake Egypt Road
Turn left onto IL 37
At end of road, turn right onto IL 148
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 57
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
Take the exit
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
Turn left onto US 52
Continue on US 52
Continue on US 52
Continue on US 52
Continue on US 52
Continue on US 52
Continue on US 52
Turn left onto US 52
Continue on US 52
Turn left onto US 52
Turn right onto US 52; IL 53
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6; IL 53
Turn left onto West Washington Street
Turn right onto Joliet Street
Turn right
Arrive at destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.1 miles or 2h 53m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Joliet, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Crestwood, 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 Crestwood, IL
This is one driving day of about 308.3 miles and 5h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 154.1 mi from Crestwood, IL · 2h 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 154.1 miles from Crestwood, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 154.9 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$46.83 one way
$93.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $51.62 | $103.24 |
| premium | $4.80 | $58.20 | $116.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $68.49 | $136.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.5 | 1 | $32.37 | $14.80 |
| Efficient EV | 77.1 | 0 | $26.98 | $12.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.3 | 1 | $43.16 | $19.73 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Crestwood on Saturday
Local time
6:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Joliet on Saturday
Local time
6:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
54°F
Champaign, IL
154 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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