Trip from Zion, IL to Joliet, IL

Drive Time

1h 50m

Distance

80.8 mi

130 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min

4 AM

1h 42m ★

6 AM

1h 50m

8 AM

2h 7m

10 AM

1h 56m

12 PM

1h 54m

3 PM

1h 57m

5 PM

2h 6m

8 PM

1h 46m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Zion, IL

Amit Shubinsky

Joliet, IL

KITSUN YUEN

Trip Overview

Connecting Zion to Joliet covers roughly 80.8 miles, making this a manageable one-day trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes. You will primarily navigate a network of major thoroughfares, including the Tri-State, Veterans Memorial, and Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollways. Given the duration, you can easily complete this journey in a single session without needing to book an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $12 on fuel to get from the northern edge of the state down to Joliet. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the transition between these two Illinois points is straightforward and consistent. It is a highly practical drive for those looking to reach their destination efficiently without unnecessary complications.

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

40.4 miles from Zion, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring your full attention as you transition between different tollway systems. While about 7 percent of the route consists of highway driving, the experience is defined by the technical nature of navigating these interconnected roads. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 32.7 miles while on the Tri-State Tollway, which serves as the most significant portion of your transit. Because the route relies on shifting between major tollways, the road personality is functional and fast-paced rather than leisurely. Be prepared for constant adjustments as you move through the local infrastructure of the region.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 32.7 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

720 ft 598 ft

Total Climb

211 ft

Total Descent

153 ft

Highest Point

720 ft

~13.5 mi in

Elevation Range

122 ft

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 24.9 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 80.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 24.9 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45 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 46 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 19 key points

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

24.9 mi into trip | ~35m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare

45 mi into trip | ~1h 1m 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

46 mi into trip | ~1h 3m 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

46.6 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Exit 31A Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora

47.9 mi into trip | ~1h 6m 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 Along This Route

Between Zion, IL and Joliet, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).

O'hare

24.9 mi in | ~35m | via I 294

Indiana

45 mi in | ~1h 1m | via I 294

22Nd Street (Cermak Road)

47.9 mi in | ~1h 6m | via I 88; IL 110

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Tri-State Tollway	32.7 mi	41m
Veterans Memorial Tollway	19.9 mi	22m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway	6.5 mi	7m
Maple Road	5.7 mi	11m
IL 137	5.5 mi	7m
Sheridan Road	4.3 mi	8m
Buckley Road	3 mi	4m
North Ottawa Street	0.4 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Tri-State Tollway — 32.7 mi, about 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on 27th Street

0.4 mi · 58 sec · 27th Street

Turn right onto IL 137

4.3 mi · 8 min · Sheridan Road

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto IL 137

0.3 mi · 31 sec · West Greenwood Avenue

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp onto IL 137

5.5 mi · 7 min · IL 137

Toward IL 137 Use the right lane.

Turn right onto IL 137

3.0 mi · 4 min · Buckley Road

Use the left / none lanes.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Toward I 94 Toll East: Chicago Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 94

11 mi · 12 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

20 mi · 25 min · Tri-State Tollway

Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare Use the slight right lane.

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.

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.

Continue on I 294

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway

Exit 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 49 sec

Exit 31A Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

0.8 mi · 59 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

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.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec

Exit 131A Toward I 355 South: Joliet Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 355

20 mi · 22 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec

Exit 1 Toward US 6: Southwest Highway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto US 6

5.7 mi · 11 min · Maple Road

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto IL 53

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Ottawa Street

Turn right

111 ft · 8 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trek, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. You will not need to plan for any formal stops along the 80.8-mile path, allowing you to drive straight through if you prefer. Keep in mind that your $12 fuel budget assumes a standard vehicle, so factor in any additional toll fees that may apply to these specific Illinois roadways. A pro tip for this route is to monitor your GPS closely while transitioning between the Tri-State, Veterans Memorial, and Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollways to ensure you don't miss a turn. Staying alert during these transitions is the best way to keep your travel time close to the 1 hour and 50 minute estimate.

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 40.4 miles from Zion, IL, or about 55m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.7 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 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 40.4 miles or 55m 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 30m

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 Zion, 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 Zion, IL

This is one driving day of about 80.8 miles and 1h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Zion, IL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 32.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 40.4 mi from Zion, IL · 55m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Des Plaines, IL

40 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

Orland Park, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Des Plaines, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 40.4 miles from Zion, 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.

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

$12.27 one way

$24.55 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$13.53	$27.06
premium	$4.80	$15.25	$30.51
diesel	$5.64	$17.95	$35.90

Estimated Tolls: $3.75

Tri-state Tollway (32.7 mi) $1.96

Veterans Memorial Tollway (19.9 mi) $1.39

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

$12

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	24.2	$8.48	$3.88
Efficient EV	20.2	$7.07	$3.23
EV Truck/SUV	32.3	$11.31	$5.17

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Zion, IL

Evening in Zion on Sunday

Local time

6:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Joliet, IL

Evening in Joliet on Sunday

Local time

6:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°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

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 50m 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 Zion, IL to Joliet, IL covers 80.8 miles and takes about 1h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, Veterans Memorial 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 40.4 miles from Zion, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.27 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.

Between Zion, IL and Joliet, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).

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Trip from Zion, IL to Joliet, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Joliet, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Zion, IL

Joliet, IL

Same local time

5 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 50m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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