Crest Hill, IL to Joliet, IL is 259.9 miles and takes about 4h 50m 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, specifically in Illinois, making it a straightforward connection between two points. With a recommended one-day drive, it's ideal for a quick transit or a short getaway. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so expect a consistent driving experience throughout. Consider this a functional route for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
130 miles from Crest Hill, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
239.4 mi
4h 18m
I 255
7.2 mi
8m
I 80
5.1 mi
6m
Old Saint Louis Road
1.9 mi
3m
New Missouri Avenue
0.8 mi
<1m
South 88th Street
0.8 mi
1m
West Jefferson Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Bernard Drive
0.3 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
~1,733 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,150
Quietest
2 AM
~161 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Crest Hill, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on Belvedere Drive
0.1 mi·34 sec·Belvedere Drive
2
At end of road, turn left onto Bethesda Drive
0.2 mi·52 sec·Bethesda Drive
3
Turn right onto Bernard Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Bernard Drive
4
Turn straight onto Eiler Road
0.2 mi·29 sec·Eiler Road
5
Turn left onto IL 13
1.9 mi·3 min·Old Saint Louis Road
6
Enter roundabout onto IL 157
17 ft·0 sec·South 88th Street
7
Continue on IL 157
0.8 mi·1 min·South 88th Street
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
9
Merge onto IL 15
0.8 mi·56 sec·New Missouri Avenue
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 255 North, US 50 North: Chicago
11
Merge onto I 255; US 50
7.2 mi·8 min·I 255; US 50
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Indianapolis, Chicago
13
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
8.3 mi·9 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
14
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
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 80
5.1 mi·6 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 131Toward Center Street
20
Continue on South Center Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·South Center Street
21
Continue on Hickory Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Hickory Street
22
Turn right onto US 30
0.3 mi·51 sec·West Jefferson Street
23
Turn left onto Joliet Street
174 ft·6 sec·Joliet Street
24
Turn right
272 ft·19 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 50m estimated duration, starting your drive from Crest Hill, IL early in the morning will allow you to arrive in Joliet, IL with plenty of daylight remaining. The route is largely highway, so the fuel cost of around $41 should be your primary budget consideration. While there's only one suggested stop, you'll find ample opportunities for breaks along the interstates. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 239.4-mile stretch on I 55, as services can sometimes be spaced out on long 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 130 miles from Crest Hill, IL, or about 2h 27m 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 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130 miles or 2h 27m 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 56m
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 Crest Hill, 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 Crest Hill, IL
This is one driving day of about 259.9 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Crest Hill, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 252.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Bethesda Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Bethesda Drive
Navigation decision point
6
21.4 mi into trip|~29m 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
129.3 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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
158.6 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
252.5 mi into trip|~4h 38m 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
$38.38 one way
$76.76 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$42.37
$84.74
premium
$4.72
$48.26
$96.51
diesel
$4.80
$49.07
$98.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78
0
$27.29
$12.48
Efficient EV
65
0
$22.74
$10.40
EV Truck/SUV
104
1
$36.39
$16.63
Gas CO2
91 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Crest Hill, IL
Late night
in Crest Hill on Monday
Local time
1:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Joliet, IL
Late night
in Joliet on Monday
Local time
1:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 to 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
67°F
Athens, IL
130 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
4h 50m 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 259.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 97% of the 259.9 miles on interstates like I 55, I 255, and I 80. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 239.4 miles, all on I 55. You'll experience the typical environment of long-distance interstate cruising, with numerous exits and interchanges as you navigate through populated areas. Surface roads are minimal, appearing only for the last few miles of the trip.
97% 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: 239.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 0.1 miles in near Bethesda Drive.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 259.9 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 0.1 miles (Bethesda Drive): Navigation decision point; at 21.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
851 ft541 ft
Total Climb
411 ft
Total Descent
416 ft
Highest Point
851 ft
~167.1 mi in
Elevation Range
310 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Crest Hill, 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 50m. Total distance: 259.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). 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.
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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Bethesda Drive): Navigation decision point; at 21.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.3 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 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Joliet, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
