Benton, IL to Joliet, IL is 277.4 miles and takes about 5h 13m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest and entirely within Illinois, offering a straightforward drive north. With 93% of the route on highways, expect a predominantly freeway experience. This is a solid option if you're looking for an efficient, single-day transit between these two points without extensive detours.
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
138.7 miles from Benton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
154.9 mi
2h 45m
Ken Gray Expressway
91.4 mi
1h 38m
US 45
10.1 mi
13m
Manhattan Road
5.3 mi
8m
West Joliet Road
4.4 mi
6m
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
— 154.9 mi, about 2h 45m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~897 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,104
Quietest
3 AM
~139 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Benton, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on IL 14; IL 37
437 ft·10 sec·Public Square
2
Continue on IL 14
0.6 mi·55 sec·West Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
4
Merge onto I 57
24 mi·26 min·Ken Gray Expressway
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
67 mi·1 hr 12 min·Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
155 mi·2 hr 45 min·I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Exit 318Toward Bourbonnais Parkway
8
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·Bourbonnais Parkway
9
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
10 mi·13 min·US 45; US 52
10
Turn left onto US 52
1.3 mi·1 min·West Joliet Road
11
Continue on US 52
1.9 mi·2 min·West Arsenal Road
12
Continue on US 52
3.1 mi·4 min·West Joliet Road
13
Continue on US 52
1.2 mi·1 min·US Route 52
14
Continue on US 52
1.9 mi·3 min·South State Street
15
Continue on US 52
2.3 mi·3 min·West North Street
16
Continue on US 52
3.1 mi·4 min·Manhattan Road
17
Turn left onto US 52
2.2 mi·4 min·Manhattan Road
18
Continue on US 52
0.3 mi·42 sec·Gardner Street
19
Turn left onto US 52
0.1 mi·15 sec·Doris Avenue
20
Turn right onto US 52; IL 53
1.2 mi·2 min·South Chicago Street
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6; IL 53
272 ft·12 sec·Chicago Street
22
Turn left onto West Washington Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·West Washington Street
23
Turn right onto Joliet Street
520 ft·18 sec·Joliet Street
24
Turn right
272 ft·19 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 13m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning will allow you to arrive in Joliet with plenty of daylight. The 154.9-mile stretch on I 57 is the longest segment without a major change in road type, so plan your last substantial stop before hitting that portion. While the fuel cost is estimated at $43, it's always wise to fill up before departing Benton. One stop is factored into the plan, so consider where that might best fit your needs along I 57.
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 138.7 miles from Benton, IL, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154.9 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 61 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.7 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 5m
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 Benton, 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 Benton, IL
This is one driving day of about 277.4 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Benton, 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 57 for about 154.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 25 and 277.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
25 mi into trip|~27m in|I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
5
92.4 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
5
247.3 mi into trip|~4h 26m in
Take the exit toward Bourbonnais Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 318
Toward Bourbonnais Parkway
4
248.3 mi into trip|~4h 28m in|US 45; US 52
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
Navigation decision point
5
277.2 mi into trip|~5h 13m in|Joliet Street
Turn right onto Joliet Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.97 one way
$81.93 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$45.22
$90.45
premium
$4.72
$51.50
$103.01
diesel
$4.80
$52.38
$104.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.2
1
$29.13
$13.32
Efficient EV
69.4
0
$24.27
$11.10
EV Truck/SUV
111
1
$38.84
$17.75
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Benton, IL
Late night
in Benton on Monday
Local time
1:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
SW 3 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Joliet, IL
Late night
in Joliet on Monday
Local time
1:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
SW 5 to 10 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 13m 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.
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 267.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 93% of the 277.4 miles on freeways like I 57. You'll encounter a long stretch of 154.9 miles on I 57, which means extended periods of consistent speed. Surface roads will become more prevalent closer to Joliet as you transition off the main interstate. Expect a steady stream of exits and interchanges throughout the majority of this trip.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 154.9 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 25 miles in near I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway.
Driving Effort5/10
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 277.4 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 25 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 92.4 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 247.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 5h 13m. Total distance: 277.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 154.9 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 35 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.
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 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 25 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 92.4 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 247.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Joliet, IL before the return drive.
