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Trip from Joliet, IL to Randolph, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

6h 2m

Distance

310.1 mi

499 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

15 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 50m ★
6 AM
6h 3m
8 AM
6h 29m
10 AM
6h 12m
12 PM
6h 9m
3 PM
6h 13m
5 PM
6h 27m
8 PM
5h 55m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Illinois, United States

Joliet, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Randolph, IL, IL

Randolph, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

The drive from Joliet, IL to Randolph, IL covers 310.1 miles and takes about 6h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, IL 3, North Illinois Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 235.7 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.48 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

155.1 miles from Joliet, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 50m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 2m. Total distance: 310.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Drive Character

This is a 6h 2m highway drive covering 310.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and IL 3. The longest continuous stretch is about 235.7 miles on I 55.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 235.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 3. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 310.1 miles you will encounter 12 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: 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 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

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

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.
5
7.6 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 126A Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
100.9 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
7
165.7 mi into trip | ~3h 2m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

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 Randolph, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.

Springfield

100.9 mi in | ~1h 52m | via I 55

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 235.7 mi 4h 14m
IL 3 23.3 mi 28m
North Illinois Street 9.8 mi 15m
South Illinois Street 8.3 mi 12m
Main Street 8 mi 11m
I 80 6.4 mi 7m
State Route 159 6.1 mi 9m
State Street 5.6 mi 9m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 235.7 mi, about 4h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Joliet, IL and Randolph, 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 right at fork onto I 55

65 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

78 mi · 1 hr 23 min · I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Exit 15A Toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
12

Continue on IL 159

3.0 mi · 4 min · Vandalia Street
13

Continue on IL 159

1.3 mi · 1 min · South Morrison Avenue
14

Continue on IL 159

9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street
15

Enter roundabout onto IL 159

181 ft · 4 sec · South Illinois Street
16

Continue on IL 159

8.3 mi · 12 min · South Illinois Street
17

Continue on IL 159

6.1 mi · 9 min · State Route 159
18

Continue on IL 156; IL 159

0.2 mi · 19 sec · North Main Street
19

Continue on IL 159

0.2 mi · 13 sec · N Main St
20

Continue on IL 159

8.0 mi · 11 min · Main Street
21

Continue on IL 3

23 mi · 28 min · IL 3
22

Turn left onto IL 150

5.6 mi · 9 min · State Street
23

Turn right onto Chester Road

0.3 mi · 50 sec · Chester Road
24

Turn right onto Wine Hill Road

131 ft · 3 sec · Wine Hill Road
25

Arrive at destination

Wine Hill Road

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155.1 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 235.7 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 68 miles or 1h 16m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 155.1 miles or 2h 50m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Randolph, 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 310.1 miles and 6h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 235.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 155.1 mi from Joliet, IL · 2h 50m into the drive

Downtown Carlinville, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Carlinville, IL

155 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

Normal, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Virginia, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 155.1 miles from Joliet, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 235.7 miles.

Arriving in Randolph, IL

The final approach into Randolph, 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 Randolph, IL.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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.

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

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...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 160.4
View on nps.gov
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...

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.48 one way

$96.96 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 109 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $53.23 $106.46
premium $4.89 $59.68 $119.35
diesel $5.61 $68.47 $136.93

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

15 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Normal, Illinois

Other

1 DCFC

Rivian Waypoints

Normal, Illinois

Rivian

1 DCFC

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Lincoln, Illinois

Other

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Normal, Illinois

Tesla

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Normal, Illinois

Tesla

1 DCFC

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Bloomington, Illinois

Other

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Normal, Illinois

Tesla

1 DCFC

Rivian Adventure Network

Normal, Illinois

Rivian

1 DCFC

Other: 6 Tesla: 3 ChargePoint: 3 Rivian: 2 InCharge: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 93 1 $32.56 $14.88
Efficient EV 77.5 0 $27.13 $12.40
EV Truck/SUV 124 1 $43.41 $19.85

Gas CO2

108 kg

EV CO2

36 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

Afternoon in Joliet on Thursday

Local time

3:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Randolph, IL

Afternoon in Randolph on Thursday

Local time

3:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

56°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

13 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

6h 2m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Randolph, IL covers 310.1 miles and takes about 6h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, IL 3, North Illinois Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 155.1 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 $48.48 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 310.1 miles you will encounter 12 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: 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 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Joliet, IL to Randolph, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.

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