Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Joliet, IL to Elmhurst, IL

Drive Time

53m

Distance

31.4 mi

51 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$5

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 13 min
4 AM
0h 49m ★
6 AM
0h 54m
8 AM
1h 2m
10 AM
0h 57m
12 PM
0h 56m
3 PM
0h 57m
5 PM
1h 2m
8 PM
0h 51m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Joliet, IL, IL

Joliet, IL

KITSUN YUEN

Downtown Elmhurst, IL, IL

Elmhurst, IL

Pho Tomass

Trip Overview

The drive from Joliet, IL to Elmhurst, IL covers 31.4 miles and takes about 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Kingery Highway, Independence Boulevard, Adlai Stevenson Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 10.4 miles on Kingery Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.77 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

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

15.7 miles from Joliet, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 53m drive with frequent turns across 31.4 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Kingery Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 10.4 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 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 31.4 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 18.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 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

7
18.5 mi into trip | ~33m in

Take the exit toward IL 83: Kingery Road

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 274 Toward IL 83: Kingery Road
8
18.7 mi into trip | ~33m in

Keep slight left at fork toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road
8
18.9 mi into trip | ~33m in

Keep slight right at fork toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North
6
30.8 mi into trip | ~52m in | South York Street

Turn left onto South York Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Along This Route

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

Chicago

12.9 mi in | ~25m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Kingery Highway 10.4 mi 15m
Independence Boulevard 5.4 mi 9m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 5.1 mi 6m
Broadway Street 4.1 mi 7m
Joliet Road 2.3 mi 3m
West Saint Charles Road 1.1 mi 2m
North Chicago Street 0.8 mi 2m
South York Street 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Kingery Highway — 10.4 mi, about 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on the route

112 ft · 10 sec · the route
2

Turn right onto Ottawa Street

174 ft · 12 sec · Ottawa Street
3

Turn left onto East Jefferson Street

390 ft · 19 sec · East Jefferson Street
4

Turn left onto North Chicago Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · North Chicago Street
5

Continue on Ruby Street

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Ruby Street
6

Turn right onto Broadway Street

4.1 mi · 7 min · Broadway Street
7

Continue on Independence Boulevard

5.4 mi · 9 min · Independence Boulevard
8

Continue on Joliet Road

2.3 mi · 3 min · Joliet Road
9

Take the ramp straight toward I 355 South Toll, I 55 North: Suburbs, Chicago

108 ft · 3 sec · I 355 South Toll, I 55 North: Suburbs, Chicago
10

Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North: Chicago

0.5 mi · 1 min · I 55 North: Chicago
11

Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway

5.1 mi · 6 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
12

Take the exit slight right toward IL 83: Kingery Road

0.2 mi · 26 sec · IL 83: Kingery Road
13

Keep slight left to continue on IL 83 North: Kingery Road

0.2 mi · 28 sec · IL 83 North: Kingery Road
14

Keep slight right to continue on IL 83 North: Kingery Road North

0.3 mi · 43 sec · IL 83 North: Kingery Road North
15

Continue on Kingery Highway

10 mi · 15 min · Kingery Highway
16

Take the exit slight right

338 ft · 9 sec
17

Turn slight right onto West Saint Charles Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · West Saint Charles Road
18

Turn left onto South York Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South York Street
19

Turn left onto West Park Avenue

39 ft · 3 sec · West Park Avenue
20

Turn slight right

66 ft · 5 sec
21

Arrive at your destination

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 15.7 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.4 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 31.4 miles or 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 15.7 miles or 29m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 45m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elmhurst, 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 31.4 miles and 53m.

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 Kingery Highway for about 10.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 15.7 mi from Joliet, IL · 29m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Naperville, IL

16 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

Des Plaines, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Naperville, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 15.7 miles from Joliet, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Elmhurst, IL

The final approach into Elmhurst, 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 Elmhurst, IL.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

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...

18 mi from route ~44 min detour Free near mile 19.5
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$4.77 one way

$9.54 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 11 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $5.26 $10.52
premium $4.80 $5.93 $11.86
diesel $5.64 $6.98 $13.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$30–$55

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 11 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 9.4 0 $3.30 $1.51
Efficient EV 7.9 0 $2.75 $1.26
EV Truck/SUV 12.6 0 $4.40 $2.01

Gas CO2

11 kg

EV CO2

4 kg (64% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Joliet, IL

Morning in Joliet on Monday

Local time

8:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elmhurst, IL

Morning in Elmhurst on Monday

Local time

8:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°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

7 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

53m 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 Elmhurst, IL covers 31.4 miles and takes about 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Kingery Highway, Independence Boulevard, Adlai Stevenson Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.7 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 $4.77 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 13 significant decision points across 31.4 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 18.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Joliet, IL to Elmhurst, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Elmhurst, IL to Joliet, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

36 mi 51m

Continue From Elmhurst, IL

Sleepy Hollow, IL 333.3 mi · 6h 16m Bremen, IL 329 mi · 5h 27m Johnston City, IL 316.6 mi · 5h 55m Rosemont, IL 284.4 mi · 5h 19m

More from Joliet, IL

Rosiclare, IL 339.1 mi · 6h 46m Jonesboro, IL 325.1 mi · 6h 6m Anna, IL 323.7 mi · 6h 4m Eagle, IL 321.7 mi · 6h 45m Saline, IL 313.9 mi · 6h 15m Crestwood, IL 308.3 mi · 5h 53m

More trips to Elmhurst, IL

Metropolis, IL 369.7 mi Murphysboro, IL 341.5 mi Sleepy Hollow, IL 335 mi Campton, IL 334 mi Chester, IL 332.6 mi Carterville, IL 330.2 mi

Explore more options from Joliet, IL or browse trips ending in Elmhurst, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Joliet, IL or Elmhurst, IL on MapSof.net.