Origin
Joliet, IL
Morning in Joliet on Saturday
Local time
10:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Joliet, IL to Blue Mound, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 6m
Distance
161.6 mi
260 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 55m
★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 30m
10 AM
3h 15m
12 PM
3h 12m
3 PM
3h 16m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Joliet, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Blue Mound, IL
Siarhei Nester
Trip Overview
The drive from Joliet, IL to Blue Mound, IL covers 161.6 miles and takes about 3h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Ottawa Street, Chicago Street, I 80 West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.26 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
80.8 miles from Joliet, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
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 6m. Total distance: 161.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 6m drive with frequent turns across 161.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ottawa Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Joliet, IL to Blue Mound, IL is easy. At 3h 6m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Joliet, IL to Blue Mound, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ottawa Street | — | — |
| Chicago Street | — | — |
| I 80 West | — | — |
| I 55 South | — | — |
| I 74 East | — | — |
| US 51 South | — | — |
| North 1450 East Road | — | — |
| North Walnut Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Ottawa Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet, IL and Blue Mound, IL.
1
Start on the route
112 ft
·
10 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right onto Ottawa Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Ottawa Street
3
Continue on Ottawa Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Ottawa Street
4
Continue on Chicago Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Chicago Street
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
6
Merge slight left
6.4 mi
·
7 min
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
Merge slight left
93 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
11
Continue on North 1450 East Road
15 mi
·
17 min
·
North 1450 East Road
12
Continue on North Walnut Street
23 mi
·
29 min
·
North Walnut Street
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 72 West: Springfield, Pana
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 72 West: Springfield, Pana
14
Merge slight left
7.0 mi
·
7 min
15
Take the exit slight left toward US 36 East, US 51 South: Decatur, Pana
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 36 East, US 51 South: Decatur, Pana
16
Keep slight left to continue on US 51 South: Pana
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US 51 South: Pana
17
Take the exit slight right
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
18
Merge left
9.0 mi
·
10 min
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 80.8 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
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 36 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.8 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blue Mound, 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 161.6 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.8 mi from Joliet, IL · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.8 miles from Joliet, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Blue Mound, IL
The final approach into Blue Mound, 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 Blue Mound, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.26 one way
$50.53 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.74 | $55.48 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.10 | $62.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.68 | $71.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.97 | $7.76 |
| Efficient EV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.14 | $6.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.6 | 0 | $22.62 | $10.34 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Blue Mound, IL
Morning in Blue Mound on Saturday
Local time
10:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
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 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 Blue Mound, IL covers 161.6 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 Ottawa Street, Chicago Street, I 80 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.8 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 $25.26 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.
The drive from Joliet, IL to Blue Mound, IL is easy. At 3h 6m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Joliet, IL to Blue Mound, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Joliet, IL to Blue Mound, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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