Origin
La Salle, IL
Night in La Salle on Wednesday
Local time
9:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Salle, IL to Joliet, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 7m
Distance
58.1 mi
94 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 2m
★
6 AM
1h 7m
8 AM
1h 18m
10 AM
1h 11m
12 PM
1h 10m
3 PM
1h 11m
5 PM
1h 17m
8 PM
1h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Salle, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Joliet, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting La Salle to Joliet is a straightforward 58.1-mile journey that typically takes about 56 minutes. You will primarily navigate via the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, US 6, and I-80 East. Since the total drive time is under an hour, this is an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $9, it is a very economical route for a quick regional excursion. Both cities are firmly rooted in the Midwest, making this a consistent drive across the Illinois landscape. It is a practical choice if you need to travel between these two points without the need for extensive planning or complex logistics.
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
29.1 miles from La Salle, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate haul on this 58.1-mile trek. Because the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a more involved experience behind the wheel that keeps you attentive to turns and local road conditions. The route avoids the repetitive nature of long-distance highway travel, favoring a more hands-on driving style. You will find that the road surface and traffic patterns shift frequently as you transition between La Salle and Joliet. It is a short trip, but the technical nature of the roads means you will stay engaged from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 52.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
726 ft
541 ft
Total Climb
404 ft
Total Descent
425 ft
Highest Point
726 ft
~21.8 mi in
Elevation Range
185 ft
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 around 1.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 7m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 3.6 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward US 6: LaSalle, Peru, Ottowa
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 6: LaSalle, Peru, Ottowa
5
3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 59A
Toward I 80 East: Chicago
5
3.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
56.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward Center Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 131
Toward Center Street
4
57.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
US 30 / West Jefferson Street
Turn right onto US 30 / West Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 52.8 mi | 57m |
| I 39 | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| US 6 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| West Jefferson Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Center Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Hickory Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Joliet Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Tonti Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 52.8 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Salle, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on Tonti Street
171 ft
·
12 sec
·
Tonti Street
2
Turn left onto US 6
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward US 6: LaSalle, Peru, Ottowa
4
Merge onto I 39; US 51
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 39; US 51
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 59A
Toward I 80 East: Chicago
6
Merge onto I 80
53 mi
·
57 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 131
Toward Center Street
8
Continue on South Center Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Center Street
9
Continue on Hickory Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Hickory Street
10
Turn right onto US 30
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
West Jefferson Street
11
Turn left onto Joliet Street
174 ft
·
6 sec
·
Joliet Street
12
Turn right
272 ft
·
19 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the entire trip covers only 58.1 miles, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time. You do not need to worry about pacing stops, as the 56-minute duration allows you to easily complete the drive in one go. Keep your $9 fuel budget in mind, and consider topping off your tank before you leave La Salle to ensure you have a stress-free arrival in Joliet. Because this is a turn-heavy route, ensure your GPS is mounted securely so you can focus on the road without being distracted by your navigation device. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your schedule around your own personal preferences rather than exhaustion.
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 29.1 miles from La Salle, IL, or about 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.8 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 13 miles or 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.1 miles or 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Joliet, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving La Salle, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from La Salle, IL
This is one driving day of about 58.1 miles and 1h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from La Salle, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 52.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.1 mi from La Salle, IL · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.1 miles from La Salle, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Joliet, IL
The final approach into Joliet, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.08 one way
$18.17 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.97 | $19.95 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.18 | $22.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.83 | $25.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.10 | $2.79 |
| Efficient EV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.08 | $2.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.13 | $3.72 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Joliet, IL
Night in Joliet on Wednesday
Local time
9:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 15 mph
27% chance
Live forecast
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
10 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 7m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from La Salle, IL to Joliet, IL covers 58.1 miles and takes about 1h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, I 39, US 6. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.1 miles from La Salle, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.08 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 7m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 3.6 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from La Salle, IL to Joliet, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 541 ft to 726 ft elevation with about 404 ft of total climbing.
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