Origin
Riley, IL
Afternoon in Riley on Saturday
Local time
3:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Riley, IL to Joliet, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 38m
Distance
77.6 mi
125 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 31m
★
6 AM
1h 38m
8 AM
1h 53m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 42m
3 PM
1h 44m
5 PM
1h 52m
8 PM
1h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Joliet, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Riley, IL to Joliet, IL covers 77.6 miles and takes about 1h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 355, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, Maple Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.4 miles on I 355. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.13 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
38.8 miles from Riley, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 355 | 31.4 mi | 37m |
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 30.7 mi | 32m |
| Maple Road | 5.7 mi | 11m |
| I 290 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Harmony Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Riley Road | 0.6 mi | 2m |
| South State Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North Ottawa Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 355
— 31.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riley, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on Riley Road
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Riley Road
2
Turn left onto A49
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harmony Road
3
Enter roundabout onto IL 23
22 ft
·
0 sec
·
South State Street
4
Continue on IL 23
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
South State Street
5
Enter roundabout onto IL 23
83 ft
·
1 sec
·
South State Street
6
Continue on IL 23
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
South State Street
7
Enter roundabout
223 ft
·
3 sec
Toward I 90 East Toll: Chicago
8
Continue
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 90 East Toll: Chicago
9
Merge onto I 90
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
30 mi
·
31 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 68A-B
Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 68A
Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
this road
Exit 68A
Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
14
Merge onto I 290; IL 53
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
I 290; IL 53
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 38.8 miles from Riley, IL, or about 46m 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 17 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.8 miles or 46m 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 19m
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 Riley, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Riley, IL
This is one driving day of about 77.6 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Riley, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.8 miles from Riley, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 71.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Enter roundabout toward I 90 East Toll: Chicago
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward I 90 East Toll: Chicago
8
32.9 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 68A-B
Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
9
33.4 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 68A
Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West S...
8
39.7 mi into trip
|
~47m 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
71.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.13 one way
$24.26 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.32 | $26.64 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.93 | $29.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.13 | $34.27 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.15
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(30.7 mi)
$2.15
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
$12
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.15 | $3.72 |
| Efficient EV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.79 | $3.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31 | 0 | $10.86 | $4.97 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Afternoon in Joliet on Saturday
Local time
3:49 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
1 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 38m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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 64.2
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
77.6 mi in 1h 38m — 48% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: I 355.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.4 mi on I 355.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 1.8 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 32.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Riley, IL to Joliet, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Suburbs along the way.
Suburbs
32.9 mi in
|
~38m
About the Cities
Arriving in Joliet, IL
Full guide →Founded 1833
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.
Top landmarks
- • Joliet Union Station — former train station in the United States
- • Christ Episcopal Church — church building in Joliet, Illinois, United States of America
- • Joliet Central High School — public school in Joliet, Illinois
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 38m. Total distance: 77.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (48%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.4 miles on I 355. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.15 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Joliet, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 32.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Joliet, IL before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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