Drive Time
57m
Distance
35.8 mi
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
The drive from Joliet, IL to Carol Stream, IL covers 35.8 miles and takes about 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Ottawa Street, East Jefferson Street, Collins Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.32 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
17.9 miles from Joliet, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Expect a 57m drive with frequent turns across 35.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ottawa Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Jefferson Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Collins Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South State Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Archer Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 355 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| IL 64 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet, IL and Carol Stream, IL.
Start on the route
Turn right onto Ottawa Street
Turn left onto East Jefferson Street
Keep slight right to continue on East Jefferson Street
Continue on Collins Street
Continue on South State Street
Continue on South Archer Avenue
Turn left onto I 355 North: West Suburbs
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
Take the exit slight right toward IL 64: North Avenue
Keep slight left to continue on IL 64: Glendale Heights, Carol Stream
Turn left onto North Avenue
Turn right onto Kuhn Road
Turn right onto Thunderbird Trail
Turn right onto Aztec Drive
Turn left onto West Thunderbird Trail
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 35.8 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.9 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carol Stream, 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 35.8 miles and 57m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.9 mi from Joliet, IL · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17.9 miles from Joliet, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Carol Stream, 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 Carol Stream, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$5.32 one way
$10.63 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.99 | $11.99 |
| premium | $4.65 | $6.56 | $13.12 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $7.48 | $14.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.7 | 0 | $3.76 | $1.72 |
| Efficient EV | 9 | 0 | $3.13 | $1.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.3 | 0 | $5.01 | $2.29 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Joliet on Saturday
Local time
6:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Carol Stream on Saturday
Local time
6:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
46°F
Naperville, IL
18 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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