Trip from Downers Grove, IL to Joliet, IL

Drive Time

35m

Distance

23.7 mi

38 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$4

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 9 min

4 AM

0h 32m ★

6 AM

0h 35m

8 AM

0h 41m

10 AM

0h 37m

12 PM

0h 37m

3 PM

0h 38m

5 PM

0h 41m

8 PM

0h 33m

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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Trip Overview

Connecting Downers Grove to Joliet is a straightforward 23.7-mile journey that typically takes about 35 minutes of travel time. Because this is a quick trip within the Midwest, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. Budgeting roughly $4 for fuel will cover your transit across these Illinois communities. Navigating via Ogden Avenue and I-355 South, also known as the Veterans Memorial Tollway, makes for an efficient transit between these two points. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a short getaway, the brevity of this drive offers significant flexibility to your schedule.

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

11.9 miles from Downers Grove, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will spend your time navigating a mix of local roads and highway segments, though the highway share is effectively zero for the duration of the trip. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch on Ogden Avenue is 0 miles, you should be prepared for frequent adjustments and turns. The route maintains a functional, urban feel as you transition through the Illinois landscape. Being behind the wheel here means staying alert to the changing local traffic patterns rather than settling into a long-haul rhythm.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Ogden Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Downers Grove, IL to Joliet, IL is easy. At 35m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Downers Grove, IL to Joliet, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Ogden Avenue	Unavailable	Refreshing
I 355 South	Unavailable	Refreshing
Veterans Memorial Tollway	Unavailable	Refreshing
US 6	Unavailable	Refreshing
Maple Road	Unavailable	Refreshing
Grand Army of the Republic Highway	Unavailable	Refreshing
East Jackson Street	Unavailable	Refreshing
North Ottawa Street	Unavailable	Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: Ogden Avenue — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Main Street

36 ft · 4 sec · Main Street

2

Turn right onto Ogden Avenue

2.4 mi · 5 min · Ogden Avenue

3

Take the ramp left toward I 355 South: Joliet

0.2 mi · 30 sec · I 355 South: Joliet

4

Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway

18 mi · 20 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway

5

Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Southwest Highway

0.4 mi · 52 sec · US 6: Southwest Highway

6

Turn right onto Maple Road

4.3 mi · 7 min · Maple Road

7

Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway

0.2 mi · 36 sec · Grand Army of the Republic Highway

8

Continue on East Jackson Street

1.1 mi · 3 min · East Jackson Street

9

Turn left onto North Ottawa Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Ottawa Street

10

Turn right

112 ft · 8 sec

11

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a short 35-minute jaunt, you have the advantage of total flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning for rest stops, as the distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that because you are relying on Ogden Avenue and the Veterans Memorial Tollway, traffic density can vary significantly depending on the time of day. Aim to monitor local traffic reports before you head out to ensure your commute remains under the 35-minute average. A helpful tip for this specific route is to keep your toll pass ready, as the Veterans Memorial Tollway segment is a key part of your connection to Joliet.

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 11.9 miles from Downers Grove, IL, or about 17m into the drive.

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 23.7 miles or 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 11.9 miles or 17m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 29m

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 Downers Grove, 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 Downers Grove, IL

This is one driving day of about 23.7 miles and 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Downers Grove, 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.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 11.9 mi from Downers Grove, IL · 17m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Naperville, IL

12 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

Orland Park, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Naperville, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 11.9 miles from Downers Grove, 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

$3.60 one way

$7.20 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 8 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$3.97	$7.94
premium	$4.80	$4.47	$8.95
diesel	$5.64	$5.27	$10.53

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 8.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	7.1	$2.49	$1.14
Efficient EV	5.9	$2.07	$0.95
EV Truck/SUV	9.5	$3.32	$1.52

Gas CO2

8 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (63% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Downers Grove, IL

Evening in Downers Grove on Sunday

Local time

5:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Joliet, IL

Evening in Joliet on Sunday

Local time

5:36 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

35m 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 Downers Grove, IL to Joliet, IL covers 23.7 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Ogden Avenue, I 355 South, Veterans Memorial Tollway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 11.9 miles from Downers Grove, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.60 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 Downers Grove, IL to Joliet, IL is easy. At 35m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Downers Grove, IL to Joliet, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

The route from Downers Grove, IL to Joliet, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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