Centreville, IL to Joliet, IL is 257.2 miles and takes about 4h 45m via I-55, I-255, and I-80, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, traveling entirely within Illinois. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive, making it a good option if you want to get from point A to point B efficiently. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration suggests it can be completed comfortably within daylight hours.
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
128.6 miles from Centreville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
239.4 mi
4h 18m
I 255
7.7 mi
8m
I 80
5.1 mi
6m
New Missouri Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
South 42nd Street
0.6 mi
1m
West Jefferson Street
0.3 mi
<1m
South Center Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Hickory Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 239.4 mi, about 4h 18m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,778 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,331
Quietest
2 AM
~165 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
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 Centreville, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on Trendley Avenue
0.1 mi·27 sec·Trendley Avenue
2
Turn right onto South 42nd Street
0.3 mi·53 sec·South 42nd Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Converse Avenue
184 ft·9 sec·Converse Avenue
4
Turn right onto South 42nd Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·South 42nd Street
5
Turn left onto IL 163
291 ft·11 sec·Old Missouri Avenue
6
Turn right onto IL 15
0.9 mi·1 min·New Missouri Avenue
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 255 North: Chicago
8
Merge onto I 255; US 50
7.7 mi·8 min·I 255; US 50
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Indianapolis, Chicago
10
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
8.3 mi·9 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
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
For this 4h 45m drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential rush hour traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $41, it's a manageable trip for a single day. The longest stretch without significant changes in road type is nearly 240 miles on I-55, so ensure you're comfortable with extended highway cruising. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can become less frequent on certain interstate segments.
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 128.6 miles from Centreville, IL, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 239.4 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 57 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.6 miles or 2h 23m 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 51m
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 Centreville, 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 Centreville, IL
This is one driving day of about 257.2 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Centreville, 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 239.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 249.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|Converse Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Converse Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
18.7 mi into trip|~24m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springf...
7
126.6 mi into trip|~2h 21m 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
155.9 mi into trip|~2h 52m 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
249.8 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.90 one way
$85.81 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$46.63
$93.26
premium
$5.26
$53.25
$106.51
diesel
$6.18
$62.57
$125.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.2
0
$27.01
$12.35
Efficient EV
64.3
0
$22.51
$10.29
EV Truck/SUV
102.9
1
$36.01
$16.46
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Centreville, IL
Morning
in Centreville on Sunday
Local time
6:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Sunny
N 2 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:22AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Joliet, IL
Morning
in Joliet on Sunday
Local time
6:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Sunny
W 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:22AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
79°F
Athens, IL
129 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
4 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 45m 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...
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 257.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 98% of the 257.2 miles taking place on interstates. You'll encounter a long stretch of 239.4 miles primarily on I-55. Expect frequent exits and merging traffic as you navigate between these major roadways, especially as you approach urban areas. The transition to non-highway roads will occur very late in the trip, close to your destination.
98% 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: 239.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 255. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Converse Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 257.2 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 0.4 miles (Converse Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 18.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
696 ft412 ft
Total Climb
387 ft
Total Descent
258 ft
Highest Point
696 ft
~147 mi in
Elevation Range
284 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Centreville, IL and Joliet, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
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 45m. Total distance: 257.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 239.4 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Converse Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 18.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Joliet, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
