Origin
Joliet, IL
Late night in Joliet on Wednesday
Local time
4:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Joliet, IL to Downers Grove, IL
Data updated 1 second ago
Drive Time
41m
Distance
23.8 mi
38 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 38m
★
6 AM
0h 41m
8 AM
0h 48m
10 AM
0h 44m
12 PM
0h 43m
3 PM
0h 44m
5 PM
0h 48m
8 PM
0h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Joliet, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Downers Grove, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 23.8-mile trip from Joliet, IL to Downers Grove, IL is a quick drive, expected to take about 41 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. You'll navigate primarily via Veterans Memorial Tollway and South State Street. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $4, this route is budget-friendly. The drive feels like a typical local journey through the Midwest, connecting two Illinois communities.
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
11.9 miles from Joliet, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with no highway segments contributing to the total mileage. Your longest uninterrupted stretch will be 11.4 miles along the Veterans Memorial Tollway. The journey involves frequent turns and transitions as you move through local streets like South Archer Avenue. This character means you'll be actively navigating for much of the 41-minute duration, with varied scenery typical of suburban Midwest areas.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 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 11.4 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 10 significant decision points across 23.8 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 9.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 21.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 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
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
21.1 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Take the exit toward US 34: Ogden Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 20B
Toward US 34: Ogden Avenue
6
21.4 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
US 34 / East Ogden Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto US 34 / East Ogden Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
23.7 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
Main Street
Turn uturn onto Main Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | 11.4 mi | 13m |
| South State Street | 4.3 mi | 9m |
| South Archer Avenue | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| East Ogden Avenue | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Collins Street | 2 mi | 4m |
| East Jefferson Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Ottawa Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Tollway
— 11.4 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet, IL and Downers Grove, 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
6
Continue on IL 171
4.3 mi
·
9 min
·
South State Street
7
Continue on IL 171
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
South Archer Avenue
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 355 North: West Suburbs
Use the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 355
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 20B
Toward US 34: Ogden Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 34
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
East Ogden Avenue
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left
87 ft
·
8 sec
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right
330 ft
·
26 sec
14
Turn uturn onto Main Street
195 ft
·
13 sec
·
Main Street
15
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given its short 41-minute duration and 23.8-mile length, this drive offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart at your convenience, perhaps avoiding peak traffic hours in Joliet or Downers Grove. Since there are no designated stops and the fuel cost is only around $4, you won't need extensive planning for refueling or lengthy breaks. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests keeping your navigation active and being mindful of frequent turns, especially when transitioning onto South State Street or South Archer Avenue.
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 11.9 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.4 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 23.8 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.9 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Downers Grove, 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 23.8 miles and 41m.
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 11.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.9 mi from Joliet, IL · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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 23.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.9 miles from Joliet, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Downers Grove, IL
The final approach into Downers Grove, 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 Downers Grove, 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
$3.72 one way
$7.44 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $4.09 | $8.17 |
| premium | $4.89 | $4.58 | $9.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.25 | $10.51 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.79
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(11.4 mi)
$0.79
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
$4
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.50 | $1.14 |
| Efficient EV | 6 | 0 | $2.08 | $0.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.33 | $1.52 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Downers Grove, IL
Late night in Downers Grove on Wednesday
Local time
4:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
22 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
41m 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 Downers Grove, IL covers 23.8 miles and takes about 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Veterans Memorial Tollway, South State Street, South Archer Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.9 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 $3.72 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 23.8 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 9.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 21.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Joliet, IL to Downers Grove, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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