Trip from Joliet, IL to Alton, IL

Drive Time

4h 42m

Distance

248.7 mi

400 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 29m ★

6 AM

4h 43m

8 AM

5h 10m

10 AM

4h 52m

12 PM

4h 49m

3 PM

4h 53m

5 PM

5h 8m

8 PM

4h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Joliet, IL

KITSUN YUEN

Alton, IL

Samuele Pellegrino

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Joliet to Alton, you are looking at a straightforward 248.7-mile journey across Illinois. You can expect to spend about 4 hours and 42 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable one-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $38, it is an affordable excursion for those traveling within the Midwest. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, ensuring a consistent pace for the duration of your travel. Because the drive is under five hours, you have the flexibility to complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. It is a practical connection that gets you from the northern reaches of the state down to the riverfront area efficiently.

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

124.4 miles from Joliet, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 95% of your travel occurring on major roads like I-55, I-80, and State Route 140. You will spend the vast majority of your time—specifically 220.4 miles—on I-55, which defines the personality of this trip. Expect a steady, interstate-centered experience that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding backroads. While the initial stretches involve the interstate network, the final transition onto State Route 140 provides a shift in pace as you approach your destination. It is a classic highway grind, best suited for drivers who prefer keeping a consistent speed and minimizing navigation through local traffic.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 220.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

874 ft 493 ft

Total Climb

445 ft

Total Descent

493 ft

Highest Point

874 ft

~93.3 mi in

Elevation Range

381 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and State Route 140. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 248.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 (US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street

Turn right onto US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street

Navigation decision point

1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

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

Use the right lane.

7.6 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 126A Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

7.9 mi into trip | ~11m in | I 55

Merge onto I 55

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

Use the right lane.

100.9 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

Towns Along This Route

Between Joliet, IL and Alton, IL, road signs point toward Springfield and Greenville.

Springfield

100.9 mi in | ~1h 52m | via I 55

Greenville

228.3 mi in | ~4h 9m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	220.4 mi	3h 57m
State Route 140	9.6 mi	13m
I 80	6.4 mi	7m
College Avenue	3.9 mi	6m
East Bethalto Drive	1.8 mi	3m
East MacArthur Drive	1.4 mi	2m
West Macarthur Drive	1.3 mi	2m
Martin Luther King Drive	0.9 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 220.4 mi, about 3h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

111 ft · 10 sec · this road

Turn right onto US 6; IL 53

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Ottawa Street

Continue on US 6; IL 53

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Ottawa Street

Continue on US 6; IL 53

0.4 mi · 1 min · Chicago Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island

Merge onto I 80

6.4 mi · 7 min · I 80

Use the right lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Exit 126A Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Merge onto I 55

93 mi · 1 hr 40 min · I 55

Use the right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

65 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 55

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

63 mi · 1 hr 7 min · I 55

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville

Turn right onto IL 140

0.7 mi · 1 min · East State Street

Continue on IL 140

9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140

Continue on IL 140

1.8 mi · 3 min · East Bethalto Drive

Continue on IL 111; IL 140

1.4 mi · 2 min · East MacArthur Drive

Continue on IL 111; IL 140

1.3 mi · 2 min · West Macarthur Drive

Continue on IL 111; IL 140

3.6 mi · 6 min · College Avenue

Enter roundabout onto College Avenue

397 ft · 7 sec · College Avenue

Continue on College Avenue

0.3 mi · 27 sec · College Avenue

Turn left onto US 67

0.9 mi · 1 min · Martin Luther King Drive

Continue on US 67

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Piasa Street

Turn left onto West 3rd Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · West 3rd Street

Turn right onto Alby Street

118 ft · 5 sec · Alby Street

Arrive at destination

Alby Street

Trip Plan

To keep your trip stress-free, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion along the interstate corridors. Although the total duration is under five hours, planning for at least one designated stop is essential to stay fresh during the long 220.4-mile stretch on I-55. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $38 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and current regional pump prices. Since this is a single-day journey, you have the advantage of total flexibility; if you feel fatigued, utilize the interstate rest areas early rather than pushing through. A smart strategy is to check real-time traffic alerts specifically for the I-55 sections before you leave Joliet to ensure a smooth arrival in Alton.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 124.4 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 2h 17m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 220.4 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 124.4 miles or 2h 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 3h 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alton, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Joliet, 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 Joliet, IL

This is one driving day of about 248.7 miles and 4h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Joliet, IL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 220.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 124.4 mi from Joliet, IL · 2h 17m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Decatur, IL

124 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

Normal, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 124.4 miles from Joliet, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 220.4 miles.

Arriving in Alton, IL

The final approach into Alton, 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 Alton, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.77 one way

$75.55 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$41.64	$83.29
premium	$4.80	$46.95	$93.90
diesel	$5.64	$55.25	$110.51

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 87 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	74.6	0	$26.11	$11.94
Efficient EV	62.2	0	$21.76	$9.95
EV Truck/SUV	99.5	1	$34.82	$15.92

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Joliet, IL

Afternoon in Joliet on Sunday

Local time

2:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Alton, IL

Afternoon in Alton on Sunday

Local time

2:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°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

10 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

4h 42m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Joliet, IL to Alton, IL covers 248.7 miles and takes about 4h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 55, State Route 140, I 80. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 124.4 miles from Joliet, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.77 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Joliet, IL and Alton, IL, road signs point toward Springfield and Greenville.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 493 ft to 874 ft elevation with about 445 ft of total climbing.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Joliet, IL or browse trips ending in Alton, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Joliet, IL or Alton, IL on MapSof.net.

Trip from Joliet, IL to Alton, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Alton, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Joliet, IL

Alton, IL

Same local time

10 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 42m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Alton, IL

More from Joliet, IL

More trips to Alton, IL