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Trip from Burgess, IL to Joliet, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 15m

Distance

161.1 mi

259 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 4m ★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 25m
5 PM
3h 38m
8 PM
3h 8m

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

Downtown Burgess, IL, IL

Burgess, IL

Stéphane Tendon

city in Illinois, United States

Joliet, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 161.1-mile journey from Burgess to Joliet, Illinois, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-80 and the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, with a brief stretch on IL-17, this route is heavily highway-focused. With a projected fuel cost of around $25, it's an economical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest. The drive is straightforward, making it ideal for those who prefer efficient travel. You'll likely find this route to be practical and direct, perfect for a weekend excursion or a mid-week transit.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

80.6 miles from Burgess, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 121.2 mi 2h 10m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway 9.4 mi 10m
IL 17 7.2 mi 10m
US 150 6.4 mi 9m
US 67 5.4 mi 8m
West Main Street 3.7 mi 5m
40th Avenue 2.6 mi 10m
IL 81 1.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 121.2 mi, about 2h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 41st Avenue

0.1 mi · 33 sec · 41st Avenue
2

Turn straight onto 235th Street

0.1 mi · 32 sec · 235th Street
3

Turn left onto 40th Avenue

2.6 mi · 10 min · 40th Avenue
4

Turn left onto US 67

5.4 mi · 8 min · US 67
5

Turn right onto IL 17

7.2 mi · 10 min · IL 17
6

Continue on IL 17

3.7 mi · 5 min · West Main Street
7

At end of road, turn left onto US 150

6.4 mi · 9 min · US 150
8

Turn right onto IL 81

0.8 mi · 1 min · IL 81
9

Continue on IL 81

0.4 mi · 38 sec · South Street
10

Continue on IL 81

1.2 mi · 1 min · IL 81
11

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
12

Merge onto I 74; IL 110

9.4 mi · 10 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
13

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 80 East: Chicago
14

Merge onto I 80

121 mi · 2 hr 10 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 131 Toward Center Street
16

Continue on South Center Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · South Center Street
17

Continue on Hickory Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Hickory Street
18

Turn right onto US 30

0.3 mi · 51 sec · West Jefferson Street
19

Turn left onto Joliet Street

174 ft · 6 sec · Joliet Street
20

Turn right

272 ft · 19 sec
21

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour 15-minute duration, this trip works well as a single-day adventure, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and ensure you reach Joliet with ample time. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimate of $25, planning around these is simple. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 121.2-mile stretch on I-80, as services can be spaced out on longer interstate segments. Utilizing the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway will likely be your main artery for most of the journey.

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 80.6 miles from Burgess, IL, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.2 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 35 miles or 56m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 80.6 miles or 1h 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 2h 41m

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 Burgess, 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 Burgess, IL

This is one driving day of about 161.1 miles and 3h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Burgess, 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 80 for about 121.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Peru, IL

81 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

Dayton, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Peru, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.6 miles from Burgess, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 121.2 miles.

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 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 159.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | 40th Avenue

Turn left onto 40th Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
19.2 mi into trip | ~35m in | US 150

At end of road, turn left onto US 150

Navigation decision point

6
28 mi into trip | ~48m in

Take the ramp toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
5
38.2 mi into trip | ~1h in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
159.5 mi into trip | ~3h 11m in

Take the exit toward Center Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 131 Toward Center Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.19 one way

$50.37 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $27.65 $55.31
premium $4.89 $31.00 $62.00
diesel $5.61 $35.57 $71.14

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.3 0 $16.92 $7.73
Efficient EV 40.3 0 $14.10 $6.44
EV Truck/SUV 64.4 0 $22.55 $10.31

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Burgess, IL

Late night in Burgess on Tuesday

Local time

5:42 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Joliet, IL

Late night in Joliet on Tuesday

Local time

5:42 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

66°F

Peru, IL

81 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

1 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

3h 15m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 94% of the route being on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 121.2 miles along I-80, offering a consistent pace. This segment is designed for steady travel, minimizing frequent turns or slowdowns. While primarily an interstate experience, the brief involvement of IL-17 might offer a slight variation in scenery before you rejoin the main expressways. The overall feel is one of efficient transit rather than a leisurely exploration.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 121.2 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near 40th Avenue.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 15m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (40th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 19.2 miles (US 150): Navigation decision point; at 28 miles: 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.

On the drive from Burgess, IL to Joliet, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Rock Island along the way.

Rock Island

28 mi in | ~48m

About the Cities

Starting in Burgess, IL

Full guide →

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 3h 15m. Total distance: 161.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 121.2 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (40th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 19.2 miles (US 150): Navigation decision point; at 28 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Joliet, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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