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Trip from Long Lake, IL to Joliet, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 39m

Distance

72.6 mi

117 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 32m ★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Long Lake, IL, IL

Long Lake, IL

Sean Ewing

city in Illinois, United States

Joliet, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Long Lake, IL to Joliet, IL covers 72.6 miles and takes about 1h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 355, US 12, IL 53 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.4 miles on I 355. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.35 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.

Midpoint

36.3 miles from Long Lake, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 72.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 39m highway drive covering 72.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 355 and US 12. The longest continuous stretch is about 31.4 miles on I 355.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 355 is the longest continuous segment at about 31.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 355 and US 12. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 23 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles (IL 53): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.7 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
23 mi into trip | ~33m in

Take the ramp toward IL 53 South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward IL 53 South
5
23.3 mi into trip | ~33m in | IL 53

Merge onto IL 53

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
27.7 mi into trip | ~39m in | IL 53

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53 toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
8
34.7 mi into trip | ~48m in | I 355

Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 7 Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
7
66.1 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in

Take the exit toward US 6: Southwest Highway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 1 Toward US 6: Southwest Highway

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 355 31.4 mi 37m
US 12 20.6 mi 28m
IL 53 11.3 mi 14m
Maple Road 5.7 mi 11m
West Big Hollow Road 2.2 mi 3m
North Ottawa Street 0.4 mi 1m
North Augustana Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
North Rock Island Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 355 — 31.4 mi, about 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Long Lake, IL and Joliet, IL.

1

Start on North Rock Island Street

0.1 mi · 30 sec · North Rock Island Street
2

Turn left onto North Augustana Avenue

0.1 mi · 30 sec · North Augustana Avenue
3

Continue on North Augustana Avenue

177 ft · 9 sec · North Augustana Avenue
4

Turn right onto IL 134

2.2 mi · 3 min · West Big Hollow Road
5

Turn left onto US 12; IL 59

2.0 mi · 2 min · US 12; IL 59
6

Continue on US 12; IL 59

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
7

Continue on US 12; IL 59

0.3 mi · 26 sec · US 12; IL 59
8

Continue on US 12; IL 59

0.1 mi · 7 sec · US 12; IL 59
9

Continue on US 12; IL 59

1.7 mi · 1 min · US 12; IL 59
10

Continue on US 12; IL 59

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 12; IL 59
11

Continue on US 12; IL 59

14 mi · 20 min · US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
12

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward IL 53 South Use the right lane.
13

Merge onto IL 53

4.4 mi · 5 min · IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53

7.0 mi · 9 min · IL 53
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 355

31 mi · 37 min · I 355
Exit 7 Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet Use the slight left lane.
16

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Exit 1 Toward US 6: Southwest Highway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Turn right onto US 6

5.7 mi · 11 min · Maple Road
18

Turn left onto IL 53

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Ottawa Street
19

Turn right

111 ft · 8 sec
20

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 36.3 miles from Long Lake, IL, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.4 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 16 miles or 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 36.3 miles or 50m 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 21m

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 Long Lake, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Long Lake, IL

This is one driving day of about 72.6 miles and 1h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Long Lake, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 355 for about 31.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 36.3 mi from Long Lake, IL · 50m into the drive

village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Palatine, IL

36 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

Palatine, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomingdale, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 36.3 miles from Long Lake, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

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...

21 mi from route ~53 min detour Free near mile 57.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.35 one way

$22.70 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $12.46 $24.92
premium $4.89 $13.97 $27.94
diesel $5.61 $16.03 $32.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.8 0 $7.62 $3.48
Efficient EV 18.2 0 $6.35 $2.90
EV Truck/SUV 29 0 $10.16 $4.65

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 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 16, 2026

Origin

Long Lake, IL

Afternoon in Long Lake on Thursday

Local time

2:35 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Joliet, IL

Afternoon in Joliet on Thursday

Local time

2:35 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°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

2 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 39m 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 Long Lake, IL to Joliet, IL covers 72.6 miles and takes about 1h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 355, US 12, IL 53. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.3 miles from Long Lake, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.35 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 23 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles (IL 53): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.7 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Long Lake, IL to Joliet, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.

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