Origin
Thomasboro, IL
Afternoon in Thomasboro on Friday
Local time
4:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Thomasboro, 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 10m
Distance
104.4 mi
168 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 1m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 17m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 28m
8 PM
2h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Thomasboro, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Joliet, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 104.4-mile drive from Thomasboro, IL to Joliet, IL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes major highways, making it a straightforward journey. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-57, which is the backbone of this drive. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, this trip is ideal for a quick getaway or a convenient transfer between these Illinois locations without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.2 miles from Thomasboro, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 104.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience on this 104.4-mile route, with 76% of the drive taking place on interstates and major roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 67.9 miles on I-57, offering a consistent pace. You'll navigate using I-57 and US 45, before transitioning to Manhattan Road for the final leg into Joliet. This profile suggests a drive characterized by steady speeds and efficient travel, rather than winding scenic byways. The journey is designed for covering distance effectively.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 67.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and US 45. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 74.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 10m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 74.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 75.3 miles (US 45; US 52): Navigation decision point; at 85.4 miles (US 52 / West Joliet Road): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
74.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward Bourbonnais Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 318
Toward Bourbonnais Parkway
4
75.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
|
US 45; US 52
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
Navigation decision point
4
85.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
US 52 / West Joliet Road
Turn left onto US 52 / West Joliet Road
Navigation decision point
4
102.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
|
US 52 / Doris Avenue
Turn left onto US 52 / Doris Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
104.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
|
Joliet Street
Turn right onto Joliet Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 67.9 mi | 1h 12m |
| US 45 | 10.1 mi | 13m |
| Manhattan Road | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| West Joliet Road | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| County Road 1500 East | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| West North Street | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| South State Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| West Arsenal Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 67.9 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thomasboro, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on West Clark Street
257 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Clark Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 45
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road 1500 East
3
Continue on US 45
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Liberty Drive
4
Continue on US 45
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Liberty Avenue
5
Turn left onto South Tanner Street
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
South Tanner Street
6
Turn left onto US 136
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West Champaign Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I-57 North: Kankakee
8
Merge onto I 57
68 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
I 57
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 318
Toward Bourbonnais Parkway
10
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bourbonnais Parkway
11
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
10 mi
·
13 min
·
US 45; US 52
12
Turn left onto US 52
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Joliet Road
13
Continue on US 52
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Arsenal Road
14
Continue on US 52
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West Joliet Road
15
Continue on US 52
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US Route 52
16
Continue on US 52
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
South State Street
17
Continue on US 52
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
West North Street
18
Continue on US 52
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Manhattan Road
19
Turn left onto US 52
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Manhattan Road
20
Continue on US 52
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Gardner Street
21
Turn left onto US 52
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Doris Avenue
22
Turn right onto US 52; IL 53
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Chicago Street
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6; IL 53
272 ft
·
12 sec
·
Chicago Street
24
Turn left onto West Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
West Washington Street
25
Turn right onto Joliet Street
520 ft
·
18 sec
·
Joliet Street
26
Turn right
272 ft
·
19 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 10-minute drive, starting your journey in the morning will allow you to arrive at your destination with plenty of daylight. Since the route is under 105 miles and largely highway-focused, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. While there are no designated stops listed, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 67.9-mile stretch on I-57. Planning for a quick break around the halfway point, perhaps near where US 45 and I-57 merge, could be a good strategy to stay refreshed. The estimated fuel cost of $16 makes this an affordable trip.
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 52.2 miles from Thomasboro, IL, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.9 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 23 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.2 miles or 59m 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 39m
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 Thomasboro, 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 Thomasboro, IL
This is one driving day of about 104.4 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Thomasboro, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 67.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.2 mi from Thomasboro, IL · 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.2 miles from Thomasboro, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.9 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
$16.32 one way
$32.64 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $17.92 | $35.84 |
| premium | $4.89 | $20.09 | $40.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.05 | $46.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.96 | $5.01 |
| Efficient EV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.14 | $4.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.62 | $6.68 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Destination
Joliet, IL
Afternoon in Joliet on Friday
Local time
4:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Clifton, IL
52 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
5 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
2h 10m 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 Thomasboro, IL to Joliet, IL covers 104.4 miles and takes about 2h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, US 45, Manhattan Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.2 miles from Thomasboro, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.32 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 is a straightforward 2h 10m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 74.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 75.3 miles (US 45; US 52): Navigation decision point; at 85.4 miles (US 52 / West Joliet Road): Navigation decision point.
The route from Thomasboro, IL to Joliet, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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