Drive Time
5h 13m
Distance
247.7 mi
399 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
Photo: Mike Tyurin
The drive from Joliet, IL to Albion, IL covers 247.7 miles and takes about 5h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, County Road 1150, North 1250th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 128.6 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.62 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
123.9 miles from Joliet, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
The drive from Joliet, IL to Albion, IL covers 247.7 miles and takes about 5h 13m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 13m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 1.4 miles (US 52 / Doris Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (US 52 / Gardner Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 52 / Doris Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 52 / Gardner Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 45; US 52 / South La Grange Road
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward IL 16 East: Charleston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 128.6 mi | 2h 17m |
| County Road 1150 | 24.1 mi | 32m |
| North 1250th Street | 13.3 mi | 19m |
| South Van Buren Street | 11 mi | 15m |
| South La Grange Road | 10.1 mi | 13m |
| Route 130 | 10 mi | 14m |
| County Road 1100 East | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Illinois Route 16 | 6 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet, IL and Albion, IL.
Start on this road
Turn right onto US 6; IL 53
Continue on US 6; IL 53
Continue on US 6; IL 53
Turn left onto US 52
Turn right onto US 52
Continue on US 52
Continue on US 52
Continue on US 52
Continue on US 52
Continue on US 52
Continue on US 52
Continue on US 52
Continue on US 52
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 57
Take the exit
Turn straight onto IL 16
Continue on IL 16
Continue on IL 16
Turn right onto IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Turn left onto IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Arrive at destination
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.
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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.9 miles or 2h 27m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albion, IL than in the middle of the route.
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 247.7 miles and 5h 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 123.9 mi from Joliet, IL · 2h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 123.9 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 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128.6 miles.
The final approach into Albion, 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 Albion, 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.
Regular Gas
$37.62 one way
$75.25 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $41.48 | $82.95 |
| premium | $4.80 | $46.76 | $93.52 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.03 | $110.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.3 | 0 | $26.01 | $11.89 |
| Efficient EV | 61.9 | 0 | $21.67 | $9.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.1 | 1 | $34.68 | $15.85 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Joliet on Saturday
Local time
7:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Albion on Saturday
Local time
7:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
54°F
Champaign, IL
124 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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