Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Pittsfield, IL to Joliet, IL

Data updated 4 hours ago

Drive Time

4h 18m

Distance

232.9 mi

375 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 5m ★
6 AM
4h 18m
8 AM
4h 45m
10 AM
4h 27m
12 PM
4h 25m
3 PM
4h 29m
5 PM
4h 43m
8 PM
4h 10m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Pike County, Illinois, United States

Pittsfield, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Illinois, United States

Joliet, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 232.9-mile drive from Pittsfield, Illinois, to Joliet, Illinois, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 18 minutes. You'll be spending 97% of your time on major interstates, primarily I-55, I-72, and I-80, making for an efficient trip. With an estimated fuel cost of around $36, it's a budget-friendly option for traversing the heart of the Midwest. This route is designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

116.4 miles from Pittsfield, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with a 97% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 143.7 miles on I-55, meaning you'll have extended periods of consistent driving. The road character remains largely consistent, characterized by the efficiency of major interstates. This isn't a route for leisurely scenic overlooks but rather for covering distance smoothly and directly.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 143.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 72. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Madison Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 232.9 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.1 miles (North Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Madison Street

Turn right onto North Madison Street

Navigation decision point

6
5.2 mi into trip | ~8m in

Take the ramp toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Springfield

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Springfield
7
102.2 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
131.5 mi into trip | ~2h 25m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
225.4 mi into trip | ~4h 6m in

Take the exit toward I 80 East: Indiana

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 250A Toward I 80 East: Indiana

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Pittsfield, IL to Joliet, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

Peoria

131.5 mi in | ~2h 25m | via I 55

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 143.7 mi 2h 34m
I 72 76.2 mi 1h 22m
I 80 5.1 mi 6m
North Jackson Street 5 mi 7m
West Jefferson Street 0.3 mi <1m
South Center Street 0.3 mi <1m
Hickory Street 0.2 mi <1m
East Adams Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 143.7 mi, about 2h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on East Adams Street

267 ft · 13 sec · East Adams Street
2

Turn right onto North Madison Street

213 ft · 11 sec · North Madison Street
3

Turn right

0.2 mi · 42 sec
4

Turn left onto US 54

5.0 mi · 7 min · North Jackson Street
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Springfield
6

Merge onto I 72; US 36

76 mi · 1 hr 22 min · I 72; US 36
7

Continue on I 55

20 mi · 21 min · I 55
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

94 mi · 1 hr 40 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 250A Toward I 80 East: Indiana Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto I 80

5.1 mi · 6 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 131 Toward Center Street
13

Continue on South Center Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · South Center Street
14

Continue on Hickory Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Hickory Street
15

Turn right onto US 30

0.3 mi · 51 sec · West Jefferson Street
16

Turn left onto Joliet Street

174 ft · 6 sec · Joliet Street
17

Turn right

272 ft · 19 sec
18

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour and 18-minute duration, starting early from Pittsfield will allow you to reach Joliet with plenty of daylight remaining. You'll have one primary stop suggested for this journey, but with the majority of the drive on interstates, you can be flexible with rest breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 143.7 miles on I-55, as services can be spread out. The estimated fuel cost of $36 makes this a predictable expense for your trip planning.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 116.4 miles from Pittsfield, IL, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.7 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 116.4 miles or 2h 9m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 29m

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 Pittsfield, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Pittsfield, IL

This is one driving day of about 232.9 miles and 4h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pittsfield, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 143.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 116.4 mi from Pittsfield, IL · 2h 9m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

116 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

Decatur, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 116.4 miles from Pittsfield, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 143.7 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.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Joliet, IL.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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.

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

National Monument

In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 72.3
View on nps.gov
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...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free near mile 232.9
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.41 one way

$72.82 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $39.98 $79.96
premium $4.89 $44.82 $89.64
diesel $5.61 $51.42 $102.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 81.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 69.9 0 $24.45 $11.18
Efficient EV 58.2 0 $20.38 $9.32
EV Truck/SUV 93.2 1 $32.61 $14.91

Gas CO2

81 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Pittsfield, IL

Evening in Pittsfield on Tuesday

Local time

6:09 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Joliet, IL

Evening in Joliet on Tuesday

Local time

6:09 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

53°F

Bloomington, IL

116 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

7 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

4h 18m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Pittsfield, IL to Joliet, IL covers 232.9 miles and takes about 4h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 72, I 80. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 116.4 miles from Pittsfield, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 232.9 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.1 miles (North Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Pittsfield, IL to Joliet, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Joliet, IL

Eagle, IL 321.7 mi · 6h 45m Crestwood, IL 308.3 mi · 5h 53m Crainville, IL 300.6 mi · 5h 41m Crest Hill, IL 261 mi · 4h 51m

More from Pittsfield, IL

Cicero, IL 264.8 mi · 4h 58m Aurora, IL 244.4 mi · 4h 39m Springfield, IL 76.1 mi · 1h 15m

More trips to Joliet, IL

Crestwood, IL 308.3 mi Crainville, IL 301.3 mi Marion, IL 296.8 mi Millstadt, IL 265.2 mi Dupo, IL 264 mi Albion, IL 247.6 mi

Explore more options from Pittsfield, IL or browse trips ending in Joliet, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Pittsfield, IL or Joliet, IL on MapSof.net.