Origin
Forest Park, IL
Evening in Forest Park on Wednesday
Local time
7:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Forest Park, IL to Joliet, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
54m
Distance
39.8 mi
64 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 50m
★
6 AM
0h 55m
8 AM
1h 4m
10 AM
0h 58m
12 PM
0h 57m
3 PM
0h 58m
5 PM
1h 3m
8 PM
0h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Forest Park, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Joliet, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Planning a quick trip from Forest Park, IL, to Joliet, IL? This route covers approximately 39.8 miles and should take about 54 minutes to complete. You'll primarily travel on the Veterans Memorial Tollway and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, with some segments on Maple Road. Given its short duration and distance, this drive is perfectly suited for a single day trip, requiring no overnight stays. Budget around $6 for fuel, reflecting the efficiency of this straightforward Midwest to Midwest journey. The overall feel is a practical, turn-heavy local drive that gets you to your destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
19.9 miles from Forest Park, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 25m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive presents a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll encounter more frequent changes in direction than a pure interstate cruise. With only an 11% highway share, expect a blend of faster tollway travel and local road navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 19.9 miles on the Veterans Memorial Tollway, offering a brief period of consistent speed before transitioning back to more varied road conditions. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires active navigation as you weave through different road types.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 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 19.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Des Plaines Avenue.
Route Complexity
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 39.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 54m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Des Plaines Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Des Plaines Avenue
Turn left onto Des Plaines Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
5.1 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 15A
Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora...
8
6.9 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
7
12.7 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward I 355 South: Joliet
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 131A
Toward I 355 South: Joliet
7
33.3 mi into trip
|
~41m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Forest Park, IL and Joliet, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).
Indiana
5.1 mi in
|
~8m
|
via I 88; IL 110
22Nd Street (Cermak Road)
6.9 mi in
|
~10m
|
via I 88; IL 110
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | 19.9 mi | 22m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 7.6 mi | 9m |
| Maple Road | 5.7 mi | 11m |
| Eisenhower Expressway | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Des Plaines Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| North Ottawa Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Madison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Tollway
— 19.9 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest Park, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on Madison Street
44 ft
·
6 sec
·
Madison Street
2
Turn left onto Des Plaines Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Des Plaines Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 290 West: Eisenhower Expressway
4
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 15A
Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana
Use the slight left lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Use the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 131A
Toward I 355 South: Joliet
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 355
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 1
Toward US 6: Southwest Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto US 6
5.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Maple Road
11
Turn left onto IL 53
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Ottawa Street
12
Turn right
111 ft
·
8 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this short, under-an-hour drive, flexibility is your best friend. You can easily depart at any time that suits your schedule. While there are no designated stops in the data, the route's brevity means you won't need extensive breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, with an estimated cost of $6 for the trip, and plan a quick fill-up if needed before you set off. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage when transitioning between the Veterans Memorial Tollway and Maple Road to ensure you stay on track for 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 19.9 miles from Forest Park, IL, or about 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.9 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 39.8 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.9 miles or 25m 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.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Forest Park, IL.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Forest Park, IL
This is one driving day of about 39.8 miles and 54m.
At 39.8 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Veterans Memorial Tollway for about 19.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.9 mi from Forest Park, IL · 25m 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 39.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.9 miles from Forest Park, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Joliet, IL
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Joliet, IL if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.22 one way
$12.44 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.83 | $13.66 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.66 | $15.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.79 | $17.57 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.85
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(19.9 mi)
$1.39
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(7.6 mi)
$0.46
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: 13.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.9 | 0 | $4.18 | $1.91 |
| Efficient EV | 10 | 0 | $3.48 | $1.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.9 | 0 | $5.57 | $2.55 |
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 Wednesday
Local time
7:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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
54m 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 Forest Park, IL to Joliet, IL covers 39.8 miles and takes about 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Veterans Memorial Tollway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Maple Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.9 miles from Forest Park, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.22 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 is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 39.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 54m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Des Plaines Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Forest Park, IL and Joliet, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Joliet, IL
More from Forest Park, IL
More trips to Joliet, IL
Explore more options from Forest Park, IL or browse trips ending in Joliet, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Forest Park, IL or Joliet, IL on MapSof.net.