Origin
Itasca, IL
Morning in Itasca on Saturday
Local time
9:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Itasca, 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
55m
Distance
39.6 mi
64 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 51m
★
6 AM
0h 56m
8 AM
1h 5m
10 AM
0h 59m
12 PM
0h 58m
3 PM
0h 59m
5 PM
1h 4m
8 PM
0h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Itasca, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Joliet, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 39.6-mile drive from Itasca, IL to Joliet, IL is easily manageable in about 55 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. You'll primarily be on major roadways, with 75% of the journey taking place on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $6, reflecting its short distance and efficient route. This route stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent driving experience across Illinois. It's a practical option for a quick transit, requiring no overnight stops and allowing for a flexible schedule.
About the Cities
Starting in Itasca, IL
Full guide →Itasca is a city in Illinois.
Arriving in Joliet, IL
Full guide →Founded 1833
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.
Top landmarks
- • Joliet Union Station — former train station in the United States
- • Christ Episcopal Church — church building in Joliet, Illinois, United States of America
- • Joliet Central High School — public school in Joliet, Illinois
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 55m. Total distance: 39.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 39.6-mile trip. With 75% of the route on highways, including a significant 29.5-mile stretch on I-355, the pace is generally brisk. You'll navigate through familiar suburban and exurban landscapes as you make your way south. The main roads guiding you include I-355, Maple Road, and North Rohlwing Road, offering a mix of controlled-access highway and arterial street driving. The character of the road remains consistent, prioritizing efficient travel over scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 355 is the longest continuous segment at about 29.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 355 and Maple Road. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Division Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 39.6 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (East Division Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (IL 53 / North Rohlwing Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Division Street
Turn left onto East Division Street
Navigation decision point
6
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
IL 53 / North Rohlwing Road
Turn left onto IL 53 / North Rohlwing Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
3.2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Turn left toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
5
3.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 355
Merge onto I 355
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
33.1 mi into trip
|
~42m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 355 | 29.5 mi | 35m |
| Maple Road | 5.7 mi | 11m |
| North Rohlwing Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| West Irving Park Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| North Ottawa Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East Division Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Walnut Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Lake Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 355
— 29.5 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Itasca, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on Arlington Heights Road
10 ft
·
4 sec
·
Arlington Heights Road
2
Turn left onto East Division Street
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
East Division Street
3
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
North Walnut Street
4
Turn right onto IL 19
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Irving Park Road
5
Turn left onto IL 53
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Rohlwing Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right
198 ft
·
7 sec
7
Turn straight onto US 20
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Lake Street
8
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
Use the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 355
30 mi
·
35 min
·
I 355
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 1
Toward US 6: Southwest Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto US 6
5.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Maple Road
12
Turn left onto IL 53
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Ottawa Street
13
Turn right
111 ft
·
8 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.8 mi from Itasca, IL · 26m 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 39.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.8 miles from Itasca, 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
$6.19 one way
$12.38 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.80 | $13.59 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.62 | $15.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.74 | $17.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
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 | $4.16 | $1.90 |
| Efficient EV | 9.9 | 0 | $3.47 | $1.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.8 | 0 | $5.54 | $2.53 |
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
Morning in Joliet on Saturday
Local time
9:56 AM
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
55m 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 Itasca, IL to Joliet, IL covers 39.6 miles and takes about 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 355, Maple Road, North Rohlwing 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 19.8 miles from Itasca, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.19 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 39.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Division Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (IL 53 / North Rohlwing Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Itasca, IL to Joliet, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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