This 56.5-mile drive from Joliet, IL to Hampshire, IL is a straightforward trip, taking about 1 hour and 32 minutes to complete. Primarily using IL 47, Lincoln Highway, and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, this journey stays within the Midwest region. With a modest fuel cost estimate of $9, it's an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion rather than requiring an overnight stay. The mixed drive profile suggests a blend of road types, making it a practical and efficient route for getting between these two Illinois towns.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
28.2 miles from Joliet, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 56.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (42%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 42% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 19 miles on IL 47, offering a consistent pace before transitioning to other roads. The combination of the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and local roads like Lincoln Highway means you'll experience varied driving conditions. This blend of faster highway travel and potentially more local road navigation provides a dynamic feel to the 1-hour-and-32-minute trip.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IL 47 is the longest continuous segment at about 19 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Joliet Street.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 56.5 miles you will encounter 22 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: at 0.1 miles (Joliet Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 24.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.8 miles (IL 56): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Joliet Street
At end of road, turn right onto Joliet Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
24.8 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the ramp toward I 88 West Toll, IL 56 West Toll: Chicago, Dekalb-Iowa
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 88 West Toll, IL 56 West Toll: Chicago...
8
24.8 mi into trip|~47m in|IL 56
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 56 toward I 88 West, IL 56 West: DeKalb-Iowa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 88 West, IL 56 West: DeKalb-Iowa
7
32.4 mi into trip|~56m in
Take the exit toward IL 47
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 109
Toward IL 47
9
32.8 mi into trip|~57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 47
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 109
Toward IL 47
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 Hampshire, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Dekalb-Iowa along the way.
Dekalb-Iowa
24.8 mi in|~47m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
IL 47
19 mi
28m
Lincoln Highway
7.5 mi
11m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
7 mi
7m
Plainfield Road
5.2 mi
11m
IL 72
4 mi
5m
Joliet Road
2.5 mi
5m
Hill Avenue
2.4 mi
4m
North Lake Street
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
IL 47
— 19 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet, IL and Hampshire, IL.
1
Start on this road
272 ft·22 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Joliet Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Joliet Street
3
Turn left onto US 30
0.1 mi·19 sec·Cass Street
4
Continue on US 30
0.2 mi·39 sec·Western Avenue
5
Turn right onto US 30
0.3 mi·39 sec·North Center Street
6
Continue on US 30
5.2 mi·11 min·Plainfield Road
7
Continue on US 30
2.5 mi·5 min·Joliet Road
Use the right lane.
8
Turn slight right onto US 30; IL 59; US 66 Hist
1.2 mi·2 min·North Division Street
Use the right lane.
9
Turn left onto US 30
1.0 mi·1 min·143rd Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto US 30
7.5 mi·11 min·Lincoln Highway
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on Hill Avenue
2.4 mi·4 min·Hill Avenue
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on East Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Galena Boulevard
13
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·North Ohio Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto East New York Street
1.5 mi·2 min·East New York Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto IL 31
2.1 mi·3 min·North Lake Street
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on South Lincolnway Street
0.4 mi·39 sec·South Lincolnway Street
17
Take the ramp
387 ft·9 sec
Toward I 88 West Toll, IL 56 West Toll: Chicago, Dekalb-IowaUse the left lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 56
0.6 mi·1 min·IL 56
Toward I 88 West, IL 56 West: DeKalb-IowaUse the straight lane.
19
Merge onto I 88; IL 56; IL 110
2.8 mi·3 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110
4.2 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 109Toward IL 47Use the slight right lane.
22
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·21 sec·this road
Exit 109Toward IL 47
23
Keep slight right at fork
196 ft·7 sec
Exit 109Toward IL 47Use the right lane.
24
Turn right onto IL 47
12 mi·18 min·IL 47
Use the right lane.
25
Enter roundabout onto IL 47
137 ft·2 sec·IL 47
26
Continue on IL 47
2.4 mi·3 min·IL 47
27
Enter roundabout onto IL 47
122 ft·2 sec·IL 47
28
Continue on IL 47
4.4 mi·6 min·IL 47
29
Turn left onto IL 72
4.0 mi·5 min·IL 72
30
Turn right onto South State Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South State Street
31
Turn left onto West Jefferson Avenue
58 ft·2 sec·West Jefferson Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
West Jefferson Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 1 hour and 32 minutes, this trip offers great flexibility. You can depart from Joliet at your leisure, perhaps after breakfast, and still arrive in Hampshire with plenty of daylight. The estimated fuel cost of $9 means you won't need to worry excessively about frequent fill-ups, though it's always wise to start with a full tank. Pay attention to the transition points between the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and IL 47, as this is where the driving experience notably changes.
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 28.2 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19 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 12 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 28.2 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hampshire, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Joliet, IL
This is one driving day of about 56.5 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 12 miles from Joliet, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on IL 47 for about 19 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.2 mi from Joliet, IL
· 51m into the drive
The midpoint is around 28.2 miles from Joliet, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hampshire, IL
The final approach into Hampshire, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
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
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
$8.83 one way
$17.67 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg20 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$9.70
$19.40
premium
$4.89
$10.87
$21.75
diesel
$5.61
$12.47
$24.95
Estimated Tolls: $0.42
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(7 mi)$0.42
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
$9
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
17
0
$5.93
$2.71
Efficient EV
14.1
0
$4.94
$2.26
EV Truck/SUV
22.6
0
$7.91
$3.62
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Joliet, IL
Late night
in Joliet on Friday
Local time
12:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hampshire, IL
Late night
in Hampshire on Friday
Local time
12:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Aurora, IL
28 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
20 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
1h 32m 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 Hampshire, IL covers 56.5 miles and takes about 1h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are IL 47, Lincoln Highway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28.2 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 $8.83 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 56.5 miles you will encounter 22 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: at 0.1 miles (Joliet Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 24.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.8 miles (IL 56): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Joliet, IL to Hampshire, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Dekalb-Iowa along the way.
