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Trip from Fulton, 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

2h 51m

Distance

128.7 mi

207 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 40m ★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 45m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Whiteside County, Illinois, United States

Fulton, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Illinois, United States

Joliet, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 141.7-mile drive from Fulton, IL, to Joliet, IL, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes. You'll navigate local roads for the entirety of this trip, with no highway driving involved. Expect a fuel cost of around $22 for this journey through the Midwest. The route is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging local experience rather than a high-speed transit. It's a straightforward trip perfect for a quick excursion or a way to connect two Illinois communities without the need for an overnight stay.

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

64.4 miles from Fulton, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 72.7 mi 1h 18m
Lincoln Road 16.8 mi 23m
Lincoln Highway 7.4 mi 11m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway 7.2 mi 7m
Plainfield Road 5.2 mi 11m
Hill Avenue 2.5 mi 4m
North Joliet Road 2.5 mi 5m
IL 25 2.3 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway — 72.7 mi, about 1h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 9th Street

20 ft · 6 sec · 9th Street
2

Turn left onto 10th Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · 10th Avenue
3

Turn right onto IL 84

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Waller Road
4

Turn left onto IL 136

1.9 mi · 2 min · 14th Avenue
5

Turn left onto US 30

7.8 mi · 10 min · Lincoln Road
6

Continue on US 30; IL 78

0.2 mi · 24 sec · West Lincoln Way
7

Continue on US 30; IL 78

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Lincolnway
8

Continue on US 30

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Lincoln Way
9

Continue on US 30

9.0 mi · 12 min · Lincoln Road
10

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 17 sec · this road
11

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 20 sec · this road
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 88 East: Dixon
13

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

7.2 mi · 7 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
14

Continue on I 88; IL 110

73 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
15

Take the exit onto IL 56

0.6 mi · 1 min · IL 56
Exit 117 Toward IL 31 East, IL 56 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Turn right onto IL 31

0.4 mi · 55 sec · South Lincolnway Street
17

Turn left onto Sullivan Road

0.4 mi · 56 sec · Sullivan Road
Use the left lane.
18

Turn right onto IL 25

2.3 mi · 4 min · IL 25
Use the right lane.
19

Turn left onto East New York Street

1.1 mi · 1 min · East New York Street
Use the left lane.
20

Turn slight right

175 ft · 8 sec
21

Turn slight right onto North Ohio Street

0.1 mi · 17 sec · North Ohio Street
22

Turn left onto East Galena Boulevard

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East Galena Boulevard
23

Continue on Hill Avenue

2.5 mi · 4 min · Hill Avenue
Use the left lane.
24

Turn straight onto US 30

7.4 mi · 11 min · Lincoln Highway
Use the left lane.
25

Turn left onto US 30

1.0 mi · 1 min · 143rd Street
Use the left lane.
26

Turn right onto US 30; IL 59

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Division Street
Use the right lane.
27

Turn left onto US 30

2.5 mi · 5 min · North Joliet Road
Use the left lane.
28

Continue on US 30

5.2 mi · 11 min · Plainfield Road
29

Continue on US 30

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Center Street
30

Turn left onto US 30

0.4 mi · 1 min · West Jefferson Street
31

Turn left onto Joliet Street

174 ft · 6 sec · Joliet Street
32

Turn right

272 ft · 19 sec
33

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given its 2 hour and 25 minute duration, this 141.7-mile trip is easily manageable in one day. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid any potential rush hour congestion and to allow for a relaxed pace. Since there are no designated stops mentioned and it's a turn-heavy route, plan for your own breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you'll be on local roads for the entire journey, and budget approximately $22 for gas. A good tip for this drive is to ensure your GPS is fully charged and updated, as the frequent turns make it essential for smooth navigation.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.4 miles from Fulton, IL, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.7 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 28 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 64.4 miles or 1h 19m 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 6m

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 Fulton, 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 Fulton, IL

This is one driving day of about 128.7 miles and 2h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Fulton, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 72.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city on tripoints of DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Aurora, IL

64 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

Sterling, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

DeKalb, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64.4 miles from Fulton, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

YURA NUNA

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Joliet, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+17792421152

Visit website

Rock Falls Candlelight

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rock Falls, Illinois

0.7 mi

A's Kitchen

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Rock Falls, Illinois

0.8 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Jitters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Joliet, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18157400048

Ten Drops Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Plainfield, Illinois

0.3 mi

Social Butterfly Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Joliet, Illinois

0.4 mi

YURA NUNA

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+17792421152

Visit website

Rock Falls Candlelight

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Rock Falls, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18156261897

Visit website

A's Kitchen

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Rock Falls, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18156256574

Huddle Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Ashton, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18154532677

Visit website

Ana's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Rock Falls, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+18156264294

Oak Street Restaurant And Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

North Aurora, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+16303017202

Visit website

Candlelight Inn Restaurant - Clinton Iowa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Clinton, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15632433200

Visit website

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Oswego, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16305513219

Visit website

Jitters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18157400048

Ten Drops Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Plainfield, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+16306962137

Visit website

Social Butterfly Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18152009829

Visit website

Flip Side Coffee & Espresso Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Rock Falls, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+18157180022

Air Play Espresso and Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Sterling, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18155854327

Visit website

Sammy's Slots Video & Gaming Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Rock Falls, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–1 pm

+18157168318

The Speakeasy at La Bella Notte

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Rock Falls, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm

+18157168559

Bonny's Bistro

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18476271095

Visit website

Flight Deck A Global Inspired Pub

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Rochelle, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18155613664

Visit website

Lisa's Brick House Bar & Grill

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Sterling, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+18155905472

Rooney's

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Franklin Grove, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+18154562590

Visit website

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 22.4 and 118.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
22.4 mi into trip | ~33m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 88 East: Dixon

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 88 East: Dixon
8
103.1 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in | IL 56

Take the exit onto IL 56 toward IL 31 East, IL 56 East

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 117 Toward IL 31 East, IL 56 East
5
104 mi into trip | ~2h 3m in | Sullivan Road

Turn left onto Sullivan Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
106.7 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in | East New York Street

Turn left onto East New York Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
118.9 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | US 30; IL 59 / North Division Street

Turn right onto US 30; IL 59 / North Division Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.12 one way

$40.24 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $22.09 $44.18
premium $4.89 $24.77 $49.53
diesel $5.61 $28.42 $56.83

Estimated Tolls: $4.36

Reagan Memorial Tollway (72.7 mi) $4.36

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 45 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 38.6 0 $13.51 $6.18
Efficient EV 32.2 0 $11.26 $5.15
EV Truck/SUV 51.5 0 $18.02 $8.24

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (67% 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

Fulton, IL

Late night in Fulton on Tuesday

Local time

4:08 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Joliet, IL

Late night in Joliet on Tuesday

Local time

4:08 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

65°F

Aurora, IL

64 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

2 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 51m 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?

This route is a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be making frequent adjustments as you travel. With 0% highway share, expect to be on surface streets and county roads for the entire 141.7 miles. There isn't a 'longest stretch' of uninterrupted driving noted, indicating a consistently active navigation experience. You'll likely find yourself managing intersections and varying speed limits as you move through towns and rural areas. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; it's a more involved journey that keeps you engaged with the road and your surroundings.

Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.7 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 22.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 128.7 miles you will encounter 16 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 22.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 103.1 miles (IL 56): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104 miles (Sullivan Road): Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

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 2h 51m. Total distance: 128.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 72.7 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $4.36 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

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 22.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 103.1 miles (IL 56): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104 miles (Sullivan Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Joliet, IL before heading back.

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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