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Trip from Germantown Hills, IL to Joliet, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 26m

Distance

117.2 mi

189 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 17m ★
6 AM
2h 27m
8 AM
2h 47m
10 AM
2h 34m
12 PM
2h 32m
3 PM
2h 35m
5 PM
2h 46m
8 PM
2h 21m

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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human settlement in Woodford County, Illinois, United States of America

Germantown Hills, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Illinois, United States

Joliet, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Germantown Hills, IL to Joliet, IL covers 117.2 miles and takes about 2h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, I 39, State Route 116 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 52.8 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.32 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

58.6 miles from Germantown Hills, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .

About the Cities

Arriving in Joliet, IL

Full guide →

Joliet is a city in the Chicagoland region of Illinois, a state in the Midwest of the United States of America. It is the largest city and county seat of Will County.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 117.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (83%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 26m highway drive covering 117.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and I 39. The longest continuous stretch is about 52.8 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 21 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 52.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 39. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 20.3 miles in near IL 116 / County Road 1800 North.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 26m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 20.3 miles (IL 116 / County Road 1800 North): Navigation decision point; at 62.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 62.7 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

4
20.3 mi into trip | ~35m in | IL 116 / County Road 1800 North

Turn right onto IL 116 / County Road 1800 North

Navigation decision point

5
62.1 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in

Take the exit toward I 80 East: Chicago

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 59A Toward I 80 East: Chicago
5
62.7 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
115.6 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in

Take the exit toward Center Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 131 Toward Center Street
4
116.9 mi into trip | ~2h 25m in | US 30 / West Jefferson Street

Turn right onto US 30 / West Jefferson Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 52.8 mi 57m
I 39 35.9 mi 38m
State Route 116 8.8 mi 14m
County Road 1400 North 6.1 mi 10m
County Road 1800 North 5.6 mi 9m
West Mount Vernon Street 2.2 mi 4m
County Road 2100 E 1.3 mi 2m
West Front Street 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 52.8 mi, about 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on IL 116

0.3 mi · 33 sec · State Route 116
2

Continue on IL 116

4.6 mi · 8 min · State Route 116
3

Continue on IL 116

2.2 mi · 4 min · West Mount Vernon Street
4

Continue on IL 116

3.9 mi · 5 min · State Route 116
5

Continue on IL 116; IL 117

2.8 mi · 4 min · County Road 1400 North
6

Continue on IL 116; IL 117

1.0 mi · 1 min · West Front Street
7

Continue on IL 116; IL 117

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Husseman Street
8

Continue on IL 116; IL 117

3.3 mi · 5 min · County Road 1400 North
9

Continue on IL 116; IL 117

1.3 mi · 2 min · County Road 2100 E
10

Turn right onto IL 116

5.6 mi · 9 min · County Road 1800 North
11

Turn left

0.2 mi · 28 sec
12

Merge onto I 39; US 51

36 mi · 38 min · I 39; US 51
13

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 57 sec
Exit 59A Toward I 80 East: Chicago
14

Merge onto I 80

53 mi · 57 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 131 Toward Center Street
16

Continue on South Center Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · South Center Street
17

Continue on Hickory Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Hickory Street
18

Turn right onto US 30

0.3 mi · 51 sec · West Jefferson Street
19

Turn left onto Joliet Street

174 ft · 6 sec · Joliet Street
20

Turn right

272 ft · 19 sec
21

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 58.6 miles from Germantown Hills, IL, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.8 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 26 miles or 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 58.6 miles or 1h 20m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 1m

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 Germantown Hills, 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 Germantown Hills, IL

This is one driving day of about 117.2 miles and 2h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Germantown Hills, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 52.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 58.6 mi from Germantown Hills, IL · 1h 20m into the drive

city in LaSalle County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

La Salle, IL

59 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.

Popular next leg

La Salle, IL to Joliet, IL

58.1 mi · 1h 7m

Pacing Suggestions

El Paso, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

La Salle, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.6 miles from Germantown Hills, 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.

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 117.2

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18157256202

Visit website

La Mexicana Restaurant & Grocery Store

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ottawa, Illinois

2.7 mi

Silver Spoon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 117.2

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18157256202

Visit website

La Mexicana Restaurant & Grocery Store

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 75.4

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 117.2

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+18157303838

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 117.2

Lockport, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+18158389116

Visit website

Swtch Charging Station

Near the start, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18447982438

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.32 one way

$36.65 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.12 $40.24
premium $4.89 $22.55 $45.11
diesel $5.61 $25.88 $51.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 41 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.2 0 $12.31 $5.63
Efficient EV 29.3 0 $10.25 $4.69
EV Truck/SUV 46.9 0 $16.41 $7.50

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (66% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Germantown Hills, IL

Night in Germantown Hills on Friday

Local time

10:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Joliet, IL

Night in Joliet on Friday

Local time

10:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°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

2h 26m 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 Germantown Hills, IL to Joliet, IL covers 117.2 miles and takes about 2h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 80, I 39, State Route 116. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 58.6 miles from Germantown Hills, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.32 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 straightforward 2h 26m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 20.3 miles (IL 116 / County Road 1800 North): Navigation decision point; at 62.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 62.7 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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