Trip from Joliet, IL to Bannockburn, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 22m

Distance

55.8 mi

90 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 20 min

4 AM

1h 16m ★

6 AM

1h 23m

8 AM

1h 36m

10 AM

1h 27m

12 PM

1h 26m

3 PM

1h 28m

5 PM

1h 35m

8 PM

1h 19m

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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Joliet, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Bannockburn, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

This 55.8-mile drive from Joliet, IL, to Bannockburn, IL, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking about 1 hour and 22 minutes. The route primarily utilizes the Tri-State Tollway and the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, with a 14% highway share. Given the relatively short duration and modest fuel cost estimate of $9, this is a convenient option for a quick journey within the Midwest. You'll find this route offers a practical way to get from point A to point B without requiring an overnight stay.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 22m. Total distance: 55.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a drive with a notable number of turns, indicating a route that weaves through local areas more than a pure interstate experience. While there's a 14% highway share, the overall profile suggests a 'turn-heavy local drive.' The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 31.1 miles on the Tri-State Tollway, offering a period of consistent travel before you transition onto more varied local roads. This blend means you'll experience both efficient highway segments and more engaged driving through communities.

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

There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 31.1 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 US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.8 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.1 miles (US 30 / East Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 30 / East Jefferson Street

Turn left onto US 30 / East Jefferson Street

Navigation decision point

21.2 mi into trip | ~36m in

Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin

27.9 mi into trip | ~46m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

54.2 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in

Take the exit toward IL 22: Half Day Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 21 Toward IL 22: Half Day Road

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Joliet, IL to Bannockburn, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.

Chicago

12.9 mi in | ~25m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Tri-State Tollway	31.1 mi	38m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway	7.8 mi	10m
Independence Boulevard	5.4 mi	9m
Broadway Street	4.1 mi	7m
Joliet Road	2.3 mi	3m
Half Day Road	0.8 mi	1m
North Chicago Street	0.8 mi	2m
Telegraph Road	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Tri-State Tollway — 31.1 mi, about 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

111 ft · 10 sec · this road

Turn right onto US 6; IL 53

175 ft · 12 sec · Ottawa Street

Turn left onto US 30

391 ft · 18 sec · East Jefferson Street

Turn left onto North Chicago Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · North Chicago Street

Continue on IL 53

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Ruby Street

Turn right onto IL 53

4.1 mi · 7 min · Broadway Street

Continue on IL 53

5.4 mi · 9 min · Independence Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Continue on Joliet Road

2.3 mi · 3 min · Joliet Road

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

108 ft · 2 sec

Toward I 355 South Toll, I 55 North: Suburbs, Chicago

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 55 North: Chicago

Merge onto I 55

7.8 mi · 10 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.6 mi · 3 min

Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin

Merge onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

26 mi · 32 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Exit 21 Toward IL 22: Half Day Road Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto IL 22

0.8 mi · 1 min · Half Day Road

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto Telegraph Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Telegraph Road

Arrive at destination

Telegraph Road

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 27.9 mi from Joliet, IL · 46m into the drive

village in Downers Grove, Lisle, and York Townships, DuPage County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Downers Grove, IL

28 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

Bolingbrook, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Elmhurst, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 27.9 miles from Joliet, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Bannockburn, IL

The final approach into Bannockburn, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.72 one way

$17.45 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 20 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$9.58	$19.16
premium	$4.89	$10.74	$21.48
diesel	$5.61	$12.32	$24.64

Estimated Tolls: $1.87

Tri-state Tollway (31.1 mi) $1.87

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

Tolls

Total

$11

Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	16.7	$5.86	$2.68
Efficient EV	14	$4.88	$2.23
EV Truck/SUV	22.3	$7.81	$3.57

Gas CO2

20 kg

EV CO2

7 kg (65% 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

Joliet, IL

Afternoon in Joliet on Thursday

Local time

2:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bannockburn, IL

Afternoon in Bannockburn on Thursday

Local time

2:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°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

23 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

1h 22m 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 Joliet, IL to Bannockburn, IL covers 55.8 miles and takes about 1h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Independence Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 27.9 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 $8.72 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.