This 97.5-mile drive from Joliet, IL, to Washburn, IL, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in under two hours, making it ideal for a single-day excursion. Primarily utilizing I-80 and I-39, with a short section on 700 North Road, the journey is largely highway-focused. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, this route is quite budget-friendly for a quick getaway within the Midwest. The efficiency of this drive means you can dedicate more time to your destination rather than the travel itself.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.8 miles from Joliet, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 97.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Expect an 80% highway experience on this route, characterized by a profile that leans heavily into interstate driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.1 miles on I-80, offering a consistent pace. While the majority is dedicated highway, the transition to local roads like 700 North Road introduces a slight change of pace as you approach Washburn. This drive prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently over showcasing varied scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 54.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 39. 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.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 58m drive. You will face about 8 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 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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
4
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
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.
6
55.2 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 79A
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomin...
5
79.3 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward IL 17: Lacon, Wenona
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 17: Lacon, Wenona
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Joliet, IL and Washburn, IL, road signs point toward Bloomington and Wenona.
Bloomington
55.2 mi in|~1h 2m
Wenona
79.3 mi in|~1h 28m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
54.1 mi
59m
I 39
23.6 mi
25m
700 North Road
9.1 mi
13m
Main Street
5.4 mi
9m
2160 E Rd
3 mi
5m
Ottawa Street
0.4 mi
1m
Chicago Street
0.4 mi
1m
North Jefferson Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 54.1 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet, IL and Washburn, 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
54 mi·59 min·I 80
Use the right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 79AToward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomington
8
Merge onto I 39; US 51
24 mi·25 min·I 39; US 51
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward IL 17: Lacon, Wenona
10
Turn straight onto IL 17
9.1 mi·13 min·700 North Road
11
Turn left onto IL 89
3.0 mi·5 min·2160 E Rd
12
Continue on IL 89
5.4 mi·9 min·Main Street
13
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 89
0.4 mi·37 sec·North Jefferson Street
14
Arrive at destination
IL 89
Trip Plan
Given its short 1 hour and 58-minute duration, this drive offers excellent flexibility. You can depart anytime, but an early start will allow for a full day at your destination. There are no recommended stops in the data, so plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 54.1-mile stretch on I-80, as services might be more spaced out on the interstate compared to local roads.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.8 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.1 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 21 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.8 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washburn, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Joliet, IL
This is one driving day of about 97.5 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Joliet, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 54.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.8 mi from Joliet, IL
· 55m into the drive
The midpoint is around 48.8 miles from Joliet, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Washburn, IL
The final approach into Washburn, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.24 one way
$30.49 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$16.74
$33.47
premium
$4.89
$18.76
$37.53
diesel
$5.61
$21.53
$43.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.3
0
$10.24
$4.68
Efficient EV
24.4
0
$8.53
$3.90
EV Truck/SUV
39
0
$13.65
$6.24
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Joliet, IL
Afternoon
in Joliet on Friday
Local time
12:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Washburn, IL
Afternoon
in Washburn on Friday
Local time
12:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Ottawa, IL
49 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
4 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
1h 58m 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 Washburn, IL covers 97.5 miles and takes about 1h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, I 39, 700 North Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.8 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 $15.24 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 1h 58m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Joliet, IL and Washburn, IL, road signs point toward Bloomington and Wenona.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
