Bedford, IL to Joliet, IL is 237.5 miles and takes about 4h 36m via Road 886 North, Road 4000 East, and 874 North, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a drive primarily on surface roads, which means you'll be passing through towns and local communities rather than high-speed highways. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion.
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
118.8 miles from Bedford, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
143.7 mi
2h 34m
I 72
65.2 mi
1h 10m
IL 100
7.8 mi
11m
1500 North
5.6 mi
8m
I 80
5.1 mi
6m
Illinois Route 100
3.7 mi
5m
865 North
1.5 mi
5m
Road 4000 East
1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 143.7 mi, about 2h 34m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,743 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,333
Quietest
2 AM
~157 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bedford, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on Bedford Road
268 ft·11 sec·Bedford Road
2
Continue on Road 886 North
0.4 mi·1 min·Road 886 North
3
Continue on Road 4000 East
1.0 mi·3 min·Road 4000 East
4
Continue on 874 North
0.8 mi·3 min·874 North
5
Turn slight left onto 865 North
1.5 mi·5 min·865 North
6
At end of road, turn right onto IL 100
7.8 mi·11 min·IL 100
7
Turn right onto IL 100; IL 106
5.6 mi·8 min·1500 North
8
Turn left onto IL 100
3.7 mi·5 min·Illinois Route 100
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·45 sec
10
Merge onto I 72; US 36
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 72; US 36
11
Continue on I 55
20 mi·21 min·I 55
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
94 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 80
5.1 mi·6 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 131Toward Center Street
17
Continue on South Center Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·South Center Street
18
Continue on Hickory Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Hickory Street
19
Turn right onto US 30
0.3 mi·51 sec·West Jefferson Street
20
Turn left onto Joliet Street
174 ft·6 sec·Joliet Street
21
Turn right
272 ft·19 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this drive is under 5 hours, it's easily achievable in one day, offering flexibility for your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour if you're starting near a populated area and to allow for a relaxed start. With only one stop recommended, you can plan your break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you need to refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $36, and surface roads can sometimes consume slightly more fuel than highways. Pay attention to local speed limits as you transition through different towns along Road 886 North, Road 4000 East, and 874 North.
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 118.8 miles from Bedford, IL, or about 2h 25m 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 52 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.8 miles or 2h 25m 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 47m
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 Bedford, 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 Bedford, IL
This is one driving day of about 237.5 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Bedford, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 106.9 and 235.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
106.9 mi into trip|~2h 12m 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
136.2 mi into trip|~2h 44m 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
230.1 mi into trip|~4h 25m 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
5
230.8 mi into trip|~4h 26m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
235.9 mi into trip|~4h 32m in
Take the exit toward Center Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 131
Toward Center Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.62 one way
$79.24 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$43.23
$86.45
premium
$5.25
$49.12
$98.24
diesel
$6.28
$58.68
$117.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.3
0
$24.94
$11.40
Efficient EV
59.4
0
$20.78
$9.50
EV Truck/SUV
95
1
$33.25
$15.20
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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 as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Bedford, IL
Late night
in Bedford on Saturday
Local time
1:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
S 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Joliet, IL
Late night
in Joliet on Saturday
Local time
1:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
SSW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
48°F
Bloomington, IL
119 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
3 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 36m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 73.7
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 237.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is entirely composed of surface roads, with a 0% highway share. You'll be navigating local routes like Road 886 North, Road 4000 East, and 874 North for the entire 237.5 miles. Given the profile of mostly surface roads, anticipate frequent intersections and lower speed limits as you pass through various communities. The longest stretch without a significant change in direction or road type is not specified, but the absence of highways suggests a consistent pace through populated areas.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 143.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
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 106.9 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 237.5 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 106.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
772 ft432 ft
Total Climb
378 ft
Total Descent
269 ft
Highest Point
772 ft
~152.7 mi in
Elevation Range
340 ft
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 Bedford, IL to Joliet, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 36m. Total distance: 237.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 143.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 106.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Joliet, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
