This 167.6-mile drive from Joliet, IL to Southern View, IL is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes. With 99% of the route on highways, it's a practical option for those looking for efficiency. The estimated fuel cost is around $26, making it an affordable trip. This route stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent driving experience across Illinois. Given the relatively short duration, it's well-suited as a day trip, allowing for a flexible schedule without the need for an overnight stay.
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
83.8 miles from Joliet, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-centric experience on this route, with a 99% highway share. The majority of your travel will be on I-55, including a significant longest stretch of 157.8 miles. This means you'll be navigating at higher speeds for extended periods. While I-55 Business is also part of the journey, the overall character remains that of a steady, interstate-focused drive. The road's personality is geared towards covering distance efficiently rather than offering varied terrain or frequent changes in scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 157.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. 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 Complexity7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 167.6 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 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
6
165.7 mi into trip|~3h 2m in|I 72; US 36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
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 Southern View, 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
157.8 mi
2h 50m
I 80
6.4 mi
7m
I 55 Business
0.7 mi
1m
Ottawa Street
0.4 mi
1m
Chicago Street
0.4 mi
1m
East Cordelia Street
0.3 mi
<1m
I 72
0.2 mi
<1m
South 6th Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 157.8 mi, about 2h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet, IL and Southern View, 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 126AToward 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, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36
0.2 mi·12 sec·I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 92AToward I 55 Business North: Springfield
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·I 55 Business
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
13
Turn left onto East Saint Joseph Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·East Saint Joseph Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·South 6th Street
15
Turn left onto East Cordelia Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·East Cordelia Street
16
Arrive at destination
East Cordelia Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3-hour, 6-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially if you're traveling on a weekday. With only one suggested stop, you have plenty of flexibility to decide when and where to pull over for a break. The longest stretch without a significant change in road is 157.8 miles on I-55, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $26 estimated cost suggests a straightforward fuel consumption pattern on the interstate.
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 83.8 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.8 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.8 miles or 1h 33m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southern View, 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 167.6 miles and 3h 6m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 157.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.8 mi from Joliet, IL
· 1h 33m into the drive
The midpoint is around 83.8 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 157.8 miles.
Arriving in Southern View, IL
The final approach into Southern View, 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 Southern View, 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
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 161.8
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
$26.20 one way
$52.40 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.77
$57.54
premium
$4.89
$32.25
$64.51
diesel
$5.61
$37.00
$74.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.3
0
$17.60
$8.04
Efficient EV
41.9
0
$14.67
$6.70
EV Truck/SUV
67
0
$23.46
$10.73
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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 5 days ago
Origin
Joliet, IL
Night
in Joliet on Tuesday
Local time
11:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Southern View, IL
Night
in Southern View on Tuesday
Local time
11:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Bloomington, IL
84 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
19 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
3h 6m 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 Southern View, IL covers 167.6 miles and takes about 3h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 80, I 55 Business. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.8 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 $26.20 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 167.6 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 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 Southern View, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
