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Trip from Joliet, IL to Carbondale, IL

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

Drive Time

5h 52m

Distance

308.7 mi

497 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 40m ★
6 AM
5h 53m
8 AM
6h 19m
10 AM
6h 2m
12 PM
5h 59m
3 PM
6h 3m
5 PM
6h 18m
8 PM
5h 45m

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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city in Illinois, United States

Joliet, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Jackson County, Illinois, United States

Carbondale, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Joliet, IL to Carbondale, IL covers 308.7 miles and takes about 5h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, IL-13 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 226.2 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.26 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

154.3 miles from Joliet, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 226.2 mi 4h 3m
Ken Gray Expressway 37.4 mi 40m
IL-13 11 mi 16m
South La Grange Road 10.1 mi 13m
Manhattan Road 5.3 mi 8m
West Deyoung Street 3.4 mi 4m
South Cedar Road 3.1 mi 4m
West North Street 2.3 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 226.2 mi, about 4h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

111 ft · 10 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto US 6; IL 53

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Ottawa Street
3

Continue on US 6; IL 53

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Ottawa Street
4

Continue on US 6; IL 53

1.0 mi · 2 min · Chicago Street
5

Turn left onto US 52

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Doris Avenue
6

Turn right onto US 52

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Gardner Street
7

Continue on US 52

2.2 mi · 3 min · Manhattan Road
8

Continue on US 52

3.1 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road
9

Continue on US 52

2.3 mi · 3 min · West North Street
10

Continue on US 52

1.9 mi · 3 min · South State Street
11

Continue on US 52

1.2 mi · 1 min · US Route 52
12

Continue on US 52

3.1 mi · 4 min · South Cedar Road
13

Continue on US 52

1.9 mi · 2 min · West Arsenal Road
14

Continue on US 52

1.3 mi · 1 min · West Joliet Road
15

Turn right onto US 45; US 52

10 mi · 13 min · South La Grange Road
16

Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway

0.4 mi · 40 sec · Bourbonnais Parkway
17

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Toward I-57 South: Kankakee
18

Merge onto I 57

161 mi · 2 hr 52 min · I 57
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57

66 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
20

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57

37 mi · 40 min · Ken Gray Expressway
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
22

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
23

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
24

Merge onto IL 13

3.4 mi · 4 min · West Deyoung Street
25

Continue on IL 13

11 mi · 16 min · IL-13
26

Arrive at destination

IL 13

Trip Plan

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 154.3 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 226.2 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 68 miles or 1h 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 154.3 miles or 3h in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carbondale, 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 308.7 miles and 5h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 57 for about 226.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

male given name

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bruce, IL

154 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

Champaign, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Charleston, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 154.3 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 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 226.2 miles.

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

YURA NUNA

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Joliet, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+17792421152

Visit website

Paxton Family Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Paxton, Illinois

1.4 mi

Merichka's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crest Hill, Illinois

2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Jitters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Joliet, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18157400048

Social Butterfly Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Joliet, Illinois

0.4 mi

Bonny's Bistro

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Joliet, Illinois

2.6 mi

YURA NUNA

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+17792421152

Visit website

Paxton Family Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 88.2

Paxton, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+12173792777

Merichka's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18157239371

Visit website

Silver Spoon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

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

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18157256202

Visit website

Big Apple Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18156305783

Visit website

Lucy's Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 66.1

Gilman, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+18152657625

Louie's Waffle House

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+18157226716

Visit website

Arcade Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 88.2

Paxton, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12173793268

Jitters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18157400048

Social Butterfly Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18152009829

Visit website

Bonny's Bistro

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18476271095

Visit website

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18156303694

Visit website

The Well

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 22

Manteno, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+17795295090

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 110.2

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 110.2

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 110.2

Champaign, Illinois

+18668167584

Circle K | Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 110.2

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18335052291

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 110.2

Champaign, Illinois

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 110.2

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12173528910

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 110.2

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 110.2

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12175312800

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 294.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street

Turn right onto US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street

Navigation decision point

5
190.2 mi into trip | ~3h 38m in | I 57

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 57 South: Memphis
5
293.3 mi into trip | ~5h 29m in

Take the exit toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
6
293.7 mi into trip | ~5h 30m in

Keep slight left at fork toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
6
294.1 mi into trip | ~5h 31m in

Keep slight right at fork toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.26 one way

$96.52 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 108 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $52.99 $105.98
premium $4.89 $59.41 $118.81
diesel $5.61 $68.16 $136.31

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 92.6 1 $32.41 $14.82
Efficient EV 77.2 0 $27.01 $12.35
EV Truck/SUV 123.5 1 $43.22 $19.76

Gas CO2

108 kg

EV CO2

36 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 Saturday

Local time

1:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Carbondale, IL

Afternoon in Carbondale on Saturday

Local time

1:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

73°F

Bruce, IL

154 mi in

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

12 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

5h 52m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a 5h 52m highway drive covering 308.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 226.2 miles on I 57.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 226.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. You will hit about 13 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.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 308.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 190.2 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 293.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Starting 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 5h 52m. Total distance: 308.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Joliet, IL to Carbondale, IL covers 308.7 miles and takes about 5h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, IL-13. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 154.3 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 $48.26 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.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 308.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 (US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street): Navigation decision point; at 190.2 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 293.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Joliet, IL to Carbondale, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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