The drive from Joliet, IL to Danville, IL covers 114.6 miles and takes about 2h 53m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on IL 1, North 2100 E Road, South La Grange Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 45.6 miles on IL 1.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.92 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
57.3 miles from Joliet, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
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.
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Joliet, IL to Danville, IL covers 114.6 miles and takes about 2h 53m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IL 1 is the longest continuous segment at about 45.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 53m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 1.4 miles (US 52 / Doris Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (US 52 / Gardner Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These 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
4
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in|US 52 / Doris Avenue
Turn left onto US 52 / Doris Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
1.6 mi into trip|~4m in|US 52 / Gardner Street
Turn right onto US 52 / Gardner Street
Navigation decision point
4
18.8 mi into trip|~30m in|US 45; US 52 / South La Grange Road
Turn right onto US 45; US 52 / South La Grange Road
Navigation decision point
6
35.8 mi into trip|~52m in
Take the exit toward IL 17: Kankakee, Momence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 312
Toward IL 17: Kankakee, Momence
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 Danville, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Momence along the way.
Momence
35.8 mi in|~52m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
IL 1
45.6 mi
1h 7m
North 2100 E Road
14.8 mi
22m
South La Grange Road
10.1 mi
13m
South State Route 1
6.7 mi
10m
I 57
6.1 mi
6m
East Court Street
5.9 mi
8m
Manhattan Road
5.3 mi
8m
South Cedar Road
3.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
IL 1
— 45.6 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet, IL and Danville, 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
6.1 mi·6 min·I 57
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 312Toward IL 17: Kankakee, Momence
20
Turn straight onto IL 17
5.9 mi·8 min·East Court Street
21
Continue on IL 1
6.7 mi·10 min·South State Route 1
22
Continue on IL 1
0.3 mi·32 sec·North Dixie Highway
23
Turn right onto IL 1
0.5 mi·47 sec·E 7000S Road
24
Continue on IL 1
0.9 mi·1 min·S 7000E Road
25
Continue on IL 1
15 mi·22 min·North 2100 E Road
26
Continue on IL 1
1.0 mi·1 min·North 2100 East Road
27
At end of road, turn left onto US 24; IL 1
2.7 mi·6 min·West Walnut Street
28
Turn right onto IL 1
46 mi·1 hr 7 min·IL 1
29
Turn right onto US 136
13 ft·0 sec·East Main Street
30
Arrive at destination
US 136
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 57.3 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.6 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 25 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.3 miles or 1h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Danville, 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 114.6 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 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 IL 1 for about 45.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57.3 mi from Joliet, IL
· 1h 25m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.92 one way
$35.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.67
$39.34
premium
$4.89
$22.05
$44.11
diesel
$5.61
$25.30
$50.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.4
0
$12.03
$5.50
Efficient EV
28.7
0
$10.03
$4.58
EV Truck/SUV
45.8
0
$16.04
$7.33
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Joliet, IL
Late night
in Joliet on Saturday
Local time
5:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 15 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Danville, IL
Late night
in Danville on Saturday
Local time
5:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
8 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
2h 53m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Danville, IL covers 114.6 miles and takes about 2h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are IL 1, North 2100 E Road, South La Grange Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.3 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 $17.92 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 53m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (US 52 / Doris Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (US 52 / Gardner Street): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Joliet, IL to Danville, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Momence along the way.
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.
