If you are planning a trip from Crestwood to Joliet, prepare for a 308.3-mile journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 53 minutes. This Midwest transit is best tackled as a single-day trip, as it is designed for efficiency rather than sightseeing. You will primarily utilize I-57, the Ken Gray Expressway, and US-45 to navigate between these Illinois locations. Budget approximately $47 for fuel to cover the distance, making it a fairly predictable expense for your travel planning. Because the route is straightforward and manageable in one go, you do not need to worry about booking overnight stays along the way. It is a functional, highway-focused drive that gets you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
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
154.1 miles from Crestwood, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
154.9 mi
2h 45m
Ken Gray Expressway
117.9 mi
2h 7m
US 45
10.1 mi
13m
Manhattan Road
5.3 mi
8m
West Joliet Road
4.4 mi
6m
Power Plant Road
2.7 mi
6m
West North Street
2.3 mi
3m
South State Street
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 154.9 mi, about 2h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crestwood, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on Pinewood Drive
385 ft·19 sec·Pinewood Drive
2
Turn right onto Ridgeway
283 ft·18 sec·Ridgeway
3
Turn left onto McKinney Chapel Road
255 ft·11 sec·McKinney Chapel Road
4
Continue on McKinney Chapel Road
0.5 mi·1 min·McKinney Chapel Road
5
Turn right onto Power Plant Road
2.7 mi·6 min·Power Plant Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto Lake Egypt Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Lake Egypt Road
7
Turn left onto IL 37
0.3 mi·31 sec·IL 37
8
At end of road, turn right onto IL 148
0.4 mi·41 sec·IL 148
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
10
Merge onto I 57
50 mi·54 min·Ken Gray Expressway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
67 mi·1 hr 12 min·Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
155 mi·2 hr 45 min·I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Exit 318Toward Bourbonnais Parkway
14
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·Bourbonnais Parkway
15
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
10 mi·13 min·US 45; US 52
16
Turn left onto US 52
1.3 mi·1 min·West Joliet Road
17
Continue on US 52
1.9 mi·2 min·West Arsenal Road
18
Continue on US 52
3.1 mi·4 min·West Joliet Road
19
Continue on US 52
1.2 mi·1 min·US Route 52
20
Continue on US 52
1.9 mi·3 min·South State Street
21
Continue on US 52
2.3 mi·3 min·West North Street
22
Continue on US 52
3.1 mi·4 min·Manhattan Road
23
Turn left onto US 52
2.2 mi·4 min·Manhattan Road
24
Continue on US 52
0.3 mi·42 sec·Gardner Street
25
Turn left onto US 52
0.1 mi·15 sec·Doris Avenue
26
Turn right onto US 52; IL 53
1.2 mi·2 min·South Chicago Street
27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6; IL 53
272 ft·12 sec·Chicago Street
28
Turn left onto West Washington Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·West Washington Street
29
Turn right onto Joliet Street
520 ft·18 sec·Joliet Street
30
Turn right
272 ft·19 sec
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, aim to depart early in the morning to beat potential congestion and maximize your daylight hours. Since the trip takes nearly six hours, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the route only accounts for a single break. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 154.9-mile stretch on I-57, as service opportunities may be spaced out. Because this route is highly highway-dependent, check traffic reports for the Ken Gray Expressway before you head out to ensure there are no unexpected delays. Embracing the flexibility of a one-day schedule allows you to arrive in Joliet without the stress of a rigid, multi-day itinerary.
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 154.1 miles from Crestwood, IL, or about 2h 53m 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 68 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.1 miles or 2h 53m 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 39m
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 Crestwood, 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 Crestwood, IL
This is one driving day of about 308.3 miles and 5h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Crestwood, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 55.9 — 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|Ridgeway
Turn right onto Ridgeway
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|McKinney Chapel Road
Turn left onto McKinney Chapel Road
Navigation decision point
5
3.4 mi into trip|~9m in|Lake Egypt Road
At end of road, turn left onto Lake Egypt Road
Navigation decision point
5
4.7 mi into trip|~12m in|IL 148
At end of road, turn right onto IL 148
Navigation decision point
5
55.9 mi into trip|~1h 8m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.20 one way
$96.40 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$52.92
$105.84
premium
$4.89
$59.33
$118.66
diesel
$5.61
$68.07
$136.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.5
1
$32.37
$14.80
Efficient EV
77.1
0
$26.98
$12.33
EV Truck/SUV
123.3
1
$43.16
$19.73
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Crestwood, IL
Night
in Crestwood on Saturday
Local time
11:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Joliet, IL
Night
in Joliet on Saturday
Local time
11:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Charleston, IL
154 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
10 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
5h 53m 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 308.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 93% of this route is comprised of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on major corridors, including a significant 154.9-mile stretch on I-57, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip. The transition between the Ken Gray Expressway and US-45 keeps the momentum steady, keeping the drive feeling fast-paced rather than technical. While the road lacks the winding nature of local backroads, the interstate-heavy design allows you to maintain a consistent speed throughout the journey. Prepare for a classic Midwest driving experience where the focus remains squarely on the road ahead.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 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 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Ridgeway.
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 308.3 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.1 miles (Ridgeway): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (McKinney Chapel Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (Lake Egypt Road): Navigation decision point.
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 53m. Total distance: 308.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 53m 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.
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.
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 (Ridgeway): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (McKinney Chapel Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (Lake Egypt Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 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.
