Origin
Joliet, IL
Afternoon in Joliet on Saturday
Local time
12:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Joliet, IL to Kincaid, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 35m
Distance
183.5 mi
295 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 23m
★
6 AM
3h 36m
8 AM
4h 1m
10 AM
3h 45m
12 PM
3h 42m
3 PM
3h 46m
5 PM
4h 0m
8 PM
3h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Joliet, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Kincaid, IL
NGUYỄN THÀNH NHƠN
Trip Overview
Joliet, IL to Kincaid, IL is 183.5 miles and takes about 3h 35m via I 55 and IL 48, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, moving through the Midwest region. It's a straightforward trip that's mostly highway miles, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. You'll find it’s a practical route if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points without much fuss.
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
91.7 miles from Joliet, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 93 mi | 1h 40m |
| North Walnut Street | 22.8 mi | 29m |
| IL 48 | 22.2 mi | 25m |
| North 1450 East Road | 14.7 mi | 17m |
| I 72 | 7 mi | 7m |
| I 80 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| E 1500 North Road | 6 mi | 10m |
| US 51 | 4.2 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 93 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet, IL and Kincaid, 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
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Chicago Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
6
Merge onto I 80
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 80
Use the right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 126A
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
Merge onto I 55
93 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
I 55
Use the right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 74; US 51
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
10
Take the exit onto US 51
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 51
Exit 135
Toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
11
Continue on US 51
15 mi
·
17 min
·
North 1450 East Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 51
23 mi
·
29 min
·
North Walnut Street
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 72 West: Springfield, Pana
14
Merge onto I 72; US 51
7.0 mi
·
7 min
·
I 72; US 51
15
Take the exit onto US 51
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 51
Exit 133
Toward US 36 East, US 51 South: Decatur, Pana
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 51
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US 51
Toward US 51 South: Pana
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
18
Merge onto IL 48
22 mi
·
25 min
·
IL 48
19
Turn right onto Water Street
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
Water Street
20
Turn right onto IL 29
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Park Street
21
Turn right onto IL 29
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Webster Street
22
Continue on IL 29
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Springfield Road
23
Turn left onto IL 104
6.0 mi
·
10 min
·
E 1500 North Road
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto Market Street
523 ft
·
23 sec
·
Market Street
25
Turn right onto Dial Street
161 ft
·
7 sec
·
Dial Street
26
Continue on Dial Street
209 ft
·
9 sec
·
Dial Street
27
Arrive at destination
North Avenue
Trip Plan
Given its 3h 35m duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the 183.5 miles. Plan for one stop to refuel and stretch your legs, especially considering the 93-mile stretch on I 55. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spaced out on longer highway segments. The estimated fuel cost is around $29, so factor that into your budget.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 91.7 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93 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 40 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.7 miles or 1h 42m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kincaid, 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 183.5 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 I 55 for about 93 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 91.7 miles from Joliet, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 148.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
100.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
|
I 74; US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51 toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business N...
6
103 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
|
US 51
Take the exit onto US 51 toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 135
Toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decat...
6
148.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
|
US 51
Take the exit onto US 51 toward US 36 East, US 51 South: Decatur, Pana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 133
Toward US 36 East, US 51 South: Decatur, Pana
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.69 one way
$57.38 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.50 | $63.00 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.31 | $70.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.51 | $81.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.1 | 0 | $19.27 | $8.81 |
| Efficient EV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.06 | $7.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.4 | 0 | $25.69 | $11.74 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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
Kincaid, IL
Afternoon in Kincaid on Saturday
Local time
12:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
92 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
15 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
3h 35m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 183.5
View on nps.gov
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 74% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 55. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 93 miles on I 55, offering a chance to maintain a steady pace. As you get closer to Kincaid, the route incorporates segments of North Walnut Street and IL 48, which may offer a slightly different driving feel compared to the interstate. Overall, expect a consistent and efficient journey for the majority of the trip.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North Walnut Street. 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.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 183.5 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 1.1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.9 miles (I 74; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Joliet, IL and Kincaid, IL, road signs point toward Decatur, Bloomington and Pana.
Decatur
100.9 mi in
|
~1h 52m
|
via I 74; US 51
Bloomington
103 mi in
|
~1h 54m
|
via US 51
Pana
140.8 mi in
|
~2h 41m
About the Cities
Starting in Joliet, IL
Full guide →Founded 1833
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.
Top landmarks
- • Joliet Union Station — former train station in the United States
- • Christ Episcopal Church — church building in Joliet, Illinois, United States of America
- • Joliet Central High School — public school in Joliet, Illinois
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 35m. Total distance: 183.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Kincaid, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.9 miles (I 74; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Kincaid, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Kincaid, IL
Explore more options from Joliet, IL or browse trips ending in Kincaid, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.