Origin
Northfield, IL
Night in Northfield on Wednesday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Northfield, IL to Joliet, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
56.7 mi
91 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 19m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 24m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Northfield, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Joliet, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 56.7-mile journey from Northfield, IL to Joliet, IL takes approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate using the Veterans Memorial Tollway, Tri-State Tollway, and Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, with no highway driving percentage, making it a straightforward local drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $9, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. Both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, keeping the travel experience consistent. This drive offers a practical and efficient way to connect these two Illinois communities.
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
28.3 miles from Northfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 56.7-mile trip. While you'll utilize major tollways like the Veterans Memorial Tollway, Tri-State Tollway, and Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, the overall character is more about local connections than continuous highway cruising, as indicated by the 0% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 19.9 miles on the Veterans Memorial Tollway. This means you should be prepared for more frequent changes in direction and speed as you transition between different local road segments and the tollway system.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Veterans Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 19.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 56.7 miles you will encounter 15 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 4.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 21 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.9 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Turn left toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana
7
21 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
8
21.9 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
8
22.5 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31A
Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
8
23.8 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Northfield, IL and Joliet, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).
Indiana
21 mi in
|
~30m
|
via I 294
22Nd Street (Cermak Road)
23.8 mi in
|
~35m
|
via I 88; IL 110
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | 19.9 mi | 22m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 17.2 mi | 23m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| Maple Road | 5.7 mi | 11m |
| Willow Road | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| North Ottawa Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Wagner Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Bosworth Lane | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Tollway
— 19.9 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Northfield, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on Bosworth Lane
79 ft
·
8 sec
·
Bosworth Lane
2
Turn left onto Wagner Road
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Wagner Road
3
Turn left onto Willow Road
4.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Willow Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 294
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto I 294
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 294
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15A
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 31A
Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
0.8 mi
·
59 sec
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 131A
Toward I 355 South: Joliet
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 355
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 1
Toward US 6: Southwest Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto US 6
5.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Maple Road
16
Turn left onto IL 53
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Ottawa Street
17
Turn right
111 ft
·
8 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 1 hour and 19 minutes, this route offers great flexibility. You can easily complete this drive in a single day, so there's no need to plan for overnight stays. With a fuel cost estimated at $9, keeping your tank topped up is a simple consideration. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests paying close attention to your GPS and signage, especially as you navigate the transitions between local roads and the tollways. A good tip is to leave a little earlier than planned to account for any unexpected local traffic during peak hours, ensuring a smooth arrival in Joliet.
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 28.3 miles from Northfield, IL, or about 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.9 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 12 miles or 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 28.3 miles or 40m 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 3m
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 Northfield, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Northfield, IL
This is one driving day of about 56.7 miles and 1h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 12 miles from Northfield, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Veterans Memorial Tollway for about 19.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.3 mi from Northfield, IL · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.3 miles from Northfield, 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
$8.86 one way
$17.73 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.73 | $19.47 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.91 | $21.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.52 | $25.04 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.82
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(19.9 mi)
$1.39
Tri-state Tollway
(17.2 mi)
$1.03
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(6.5 mi)
$0.40
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.8 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 | 0 | $5.95 | $2.72 |
| Efficient EV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.96 | $2.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.7 | 0 | $7.94 | $3.63 |
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
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Elmhurst, IL
28 mi in
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
5 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 19m 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 Northfield, IL to Joliet, IL covers 56.7 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Veterans Memorial Tollway, Tri-State Tollway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28.3 miles from Northfield, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.86 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 56.7 miles you will encounter 15 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 4.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 21 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.9 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Northfield, IL and Joliet, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).
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