Origin
Lacon, IL
Night in Lacon on Friday
Local time
10:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lacon, IL to Joliet, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 54m
Distance
101.4 mi
163 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 46m
★
6 AM
1h 54m
8 AM
2h 11m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 1m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lacon, IL
Emilio Sánchez Hernández
Joliet, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lacon to Joliet is 101.4 miles and takes about 1 hour 54 minutes via I 80 and I 180, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. It's a fairly straightforward trip, largely focused on interstate travel, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a direct route. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, this is an easy day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.7 miles from Lacon, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
About the Cities
Arriving in Joliet, IL
Full guide →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.
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 1h 54m. Total distance: 101.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 78% of it on major highways like I 80 and I 180. You'll experience a significant stretch of 70.5 miles on I 80 without needing to exit, allowing for consistent speed. While the majority of the drive is on high-speed roads, there are segments on County Road 1400 East, suggesting a brief transition to local roads before rejoining the interstate system. The overall feel is one of efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
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 70.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and County Road 1400 East. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near IL 29 / Railroad Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 54m 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: at 1.4 miles (IL 29 / Railroad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 29.2 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
IL 29 / Railroad Street
Take the ramp onto IL 29 / Railroad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
28.8 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 East: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
5
29.2 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
99.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward Center Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 131
Toward Center Street
4
101 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
|
US 30 / West Jefferson Street
Turn right onto US 30 / West Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 70.5 mi | 1h 16m |
| County Road 1400 East | 17.8 mi | 20m |
| I 180 | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| 5th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Railroad Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| West Jefferson Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Center Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Hickory Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 70.5 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lacon, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on IL 17
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
5th Street
2
Take the ramp onto IL 29
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
Railroad Street
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on IL 29
18 mi
·
20 min
·
County Road 1400 East
4
Merge onto I 180
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
I 180
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
6
Merge onto I 80
71 mi
·
1 hr 16 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
With a total drive time under two hours, this route offers plenty of flexibility. Leaving in the morning or early afternoon should give you ample time to reach your destination well before dark. Since the longest stretch on I 80 is over 70 miles, plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get too low, especially if you're starting with less than a full tank. There are no designated stops noted, so you can decide on breaks as needed, perhaps pulling over at a rest area or a convenient exit along I 80 for a quick stretch.
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 50.7 miles from Lacon, IL, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.5 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 22 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.7 miles or 56m 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 31m
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 Lacon, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lacon, IL
This is one driving day of about 101.4 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Lacon, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 70.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 50.7 mi from Lacon, IL · 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 50.7 miles from Lacon, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.5 miles.
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
$15.85 one way
$31.71 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $17.41 | $34.81 |
| premium | $4.89 | $19.51 | $39.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.39 | $44.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.4 | 0 | $10.65 | $4.87 |
| Efficient EV | 25.4 | 0 | $8.87 | $4.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.6 | 0 | $14.20 | $6.49 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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 Friday
Local time
10:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 15 to 25 mph
95% chance
Live forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued April 17 at 7:10PM CDT until April 17 at 7:30PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued April 17 at 7:09PM CDT until April 17 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
8 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
1h 54m 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 Lacon, IL to Joliet, IL covers 101.4 miles and takes about 1h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, County Road 1400 East, I 180. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 50.7 miles from Lacon, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.85 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 54m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (IL 29 / Railroad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 29.2 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lacon, IL to Joliet, 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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