Origin
Joliet, IL
Evening in Joliet on Sunday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Joliet, IL to Carol Stream, IL
Drive Time
57m
Distance
35.8 mi
58 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 53m
★
6 AM
0h 58m
8 AM
1h 7m
10 AM
1h 1m
12 PM
1h 0m
3 PM
1h 2m
5 PM
1h 7m
8 PM
0h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Joliet, IL
KITSUN YUEN
Carol Stream, IL
Nikola Dumanovic
Trip Overview
Spanning 35.8 miles, the drive from Joliet to Carol Stream is a straightforward trip across the Illinois suburbs that typically takes about 57 minutes. You can easily complete this journey in a single day, as it is designed for efficiency rather than an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of just $5, it is a cost-effective route for commuters or weekend travelers. You will navigate a mix of local roads and major arteries, including South State Street, the Veterans Memorial Tollway, and North Avenue. Because both locations are situated within the Midwest, the drive maintains a familiar regional character throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
17.9 miles from Joliet, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between different types of roadways. While you will spend time on the Veterans Memorial Tollway—which hosts your longest uninterrupted stretch of 19.5 miles—the route is not a standard highway grind. There is no significant highway-only portion, meaning you will frequently navigate suburban intersections and turns. The personality of the road shifts from the initial local streets in Joliet to the more structured tollway, eventually settling into the suburban flow of North Avenue. It is a technical, hands-on driving experience that requires you to stay alert through the various transitions.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Veterans Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 19.5 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.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 35.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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 9.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 30 / East Jefferson Street
Turn left onto US 30 / East Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
6
9.3 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Turn left toward I 355 North: West Suburbs
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 355 North: West Suburbs
7
29.3 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Take the exit toward IL 64: North Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 27
Toward IL 64: North Avenue
8
29.7 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 64: Glendale Heights, Carol Stream
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward IL 64: Glendale Heights, Carol Stream
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | 19.5 mi | 23m |
| North Avenue | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| South State Street | 4.3 mi | 9m |
| South Archer Avenue | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Collins Street | 2 mi | 4m |
| East Jefferson Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Kuhn Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Thunderbird Trail | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Tollway
— 19.5 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet, IL and Carol Stream, IL.
1
Start on this road
111 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto US 6; IL 53
175 ft
·
12 sec
·
Ottawa Street
3
Turn left onto US 30
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Jefferson Street
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6; US 30
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Jefferson Street
5
Continue on US 6; US 30
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Collins Street
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on IL 171
4.3 mi
·
9 min
·
South State Street
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on IL 171
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
South Archer Avenue
Use the none lane.
8
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 355 North: West Suburbs
Use the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 355
19 mi
·
23 min
·
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 27
Toward IL 64: North Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
338 ft
·
10 sec
Toward IL 64: Glendale Heights, Carol Stream
Use the left / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto IL 64
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
North Avenue
Use the none lane.
13
Turn right onto Kuhn Road
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Kuhn Road
14
Turn right onto Thunderbird Trail
202 ft
·
10 sec
·
Thunderbird Trail
15
Turn right onto Aztec Drive
160 ft
·
8 sec
·
Aztec Drive
16
Turn left onto West Thunderbird Trail
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
West Thunderbird Trail
17
Arrive at destination
West Thunderbird Trail
Trip Plan
Since this 57-minute trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a wise move. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way, as the 35.8-mile distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep your $5 fuel budget in mind, but ensure your tank is ready before you leave Joliet to avoid unnecessary detours. Because the route relies heavily on local turns rather than just highway cruising, double-check your GPS navigation before starting your engine. Staying focused during the transition from the Veterans Memorial Tollway onto local streets will make your drive significantly smoother.
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 17.9 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.5 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 35.8 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.9 miles or 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carol Stream, 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 35.8 miles and 57m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Veterans Memorial Tollway for about 19.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.9 mi from Joliet, IL · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.9 miles from Joliet, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Carol Stream, IL
The final approach into Carol Stream, 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 Carol Stream, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.44 one way
$10.88 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.99 | $11.99 |
| premium | $4.80 | $6.76 | $13.52 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.95 | $15.91 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.36
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(19.5 mi)
$1.36
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.7 | 0 | $3.76 | $1.72 |
| Efficient EV | 9 | 0 | $3.13 | $1.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.3 | 0 | $5.01 | $2.29 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Carol Stream, IL
Evening in Carol Stream on Sunday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
1 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
57m 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 Carol Stream, IL covers 35.8 miles and takes about 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Veterans Memorial Tollway, North Avenue, South State Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.9 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 $5.44 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 demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 35.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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 9.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Joliet, IL to Carol Stream, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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