Origin
Prophetstown, IL
Late night in Prophetstown on Friday
Local time
3:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Prophetstown, IL to Joliet, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 24m
Distance
119.2 mi
192 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 15m
★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 44m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 43m
8 PM
2h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Prophetstown, IL
Sergei Starostin
Joliet, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 119.2-mile drive from Prophetstown, IL, to Joliet, IL, will take you approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-80, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Midwest. With a modest fuel cost of around $19 and no recommended stops, it's perfectly suited for a single-day trip. The highway-focused profile means you'll cover ground efficiently, making it an ideal choice when you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss. Consider this your go-to for a quick and predictable transit between these two Illinois locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.6 miles from Prophetstown, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 119.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 119.2-mile trip, with 82% of your journey on major roadways like I-80. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 98.2 miles on I-80, allowing for a consistent pace. While the profile is largely highway, you will also navigate sections on Bishop Road and Washington Street. This mix suggests a predominantly fast-paced drive with some transitions as you enter and exit populated areas, but the main character remains that of efficient road travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 98.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Bishop Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 19.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Prophetstown, IL to Joliet, IL is easy. At 2h 24m with 82% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 19.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 19.3 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
19.1 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
19.3 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
117.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward Center Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 131
Toward Center Street
4
118.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
|
US 30 / West Jefferson Street
Turn right onto US 30 / West Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
4
119.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
Joliet Street
Turn left onto Joliet Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 98.2 mi | 1h 46m |
| Bishop Road | 18.6 mi | 32m |
| Washington Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Jefferson Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Center Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Hickory Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Canal Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Joliet Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 98.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prophetstown, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on IL 78
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Washington Street
2
Continue on IL 78
19 mi
·
32 min
·
Bishop Road
3
Continue on IL 78
481 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Canal Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
5
Merge onto I 80
98 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 131
Toward Center Street
7
Continue on South Center Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Center Street
8
Continue on Hickory Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Hickory Street
9
Turn right onto US 30
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
West Jefferson Street
10
Turn left onto Joliet Street
174 ft
·
6 sec
·
Joliet Street
11
Turn right
272 ft
·
19 sec
12
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 24-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. Since there are no designated stops and the longest stretch is nearly 100 miles, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps near exits with services. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 98.2-mile segment on I-80, to ensure you have enough to reach Joliet without worry. The $19 fuel cost estimate is a helpful budget point for this straightforward Midwest transit.
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 59.6 miles from Prophetstown, IL, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.2 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 26 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.6 miles or 1h 17m 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 58m
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 Prophetstown, 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 Prophetstown, IL
This is one driving day of about 119.2 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Prophetstown, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 98.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.6 mi from Prophetstown, IL · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.6 miles from Prophetstown, 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 98.2 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.64 one way
$37.27 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.46 | $40.92 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.94 | $45.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.32 | $52.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.52 | $5.72 |
| Efficient EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.43 | $4.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.7 | 0 | $16.69 | $7.63 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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
Late night in Joliet on Friday
Local time
3:24 AM
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
18 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
2h 24m 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 Prophetstown, IL to Joliet, IL covers 119.2 miles and takes about 2h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, Bishop Road, Washington Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.6 miles from Prophetstown, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.64 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.
The drive from Prophetstown, IL to Joliet, IL is easy. At 2h 24m with 82% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 19.3 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Prophetstown, IL to Joliet, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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