Godfrey, IL to Joliet, IL is 249.6 miles and takes about 4h 41m via I 55 and IL 255, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward trip entirely within Illinois, connecting two Midwest communities. With a high percentage of highway driving, it’s a route built for covering ground efficiently. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is well within reasonable limits for a one-day road trip.
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
124.8 miles from Godfrey, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
219.9 mi
3h 56m
State Route 140
9.7 mi
13m
IL 255
7.9 mi
9m
I 80
5.1 mi
6m
West Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi
3m
West State Street
0.8 mi
1m
Humbert Road
0.3 mi
<1m
East MacArthur Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 219.9 mi, about 3h 56m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,743 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,333
Quietest
2 AM
~157 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
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 Godfrey, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on Isabel Street
312 ft·13 sec·Isabel Street
2
Continue on Isabel Drive
0.2 mi·45 sec·Isabel Drive
3
At end of road, turn right onto Pearl Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Pearl Street
4
Turn left onto Humbert Road
0.3 mi·34 sec·Humbert Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 255 South
6
Merge onto IL 255
7.9 mi·9 min·IL 255
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 10Toward IL 111, IL 140: Alton, Bethalto
8
Keep slight left at fork
206 ft·6 sec
Toward IL 111, IL 140: Bethalto
9
Turn slight left onto IL 111; IL 140
0.3 mi·36 sec·East MacArthur Drive
10
Continue on IL 140
1.8 mi·3 min·West Bethalto Drive
11
Continue on IL 140
9.6 mi·13 min·State Route 140
12
Continue on IL 140
0.8 mi·1 min·West State Street
13
Continue on IL 140
443 ft·13 sec·State Route 140
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
15
Merge onto I 55
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 55
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 80
5.1 mi·6 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 131Toward Center Street
21
Continue on South Center Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·South Center Street
22
Continue on Hickory Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Hickory Street
23
Turn right onto US 30
0.3 mi·51 sec·West Jefferson Street
24
Turn left onto Joliet Street
174 ft·6 sec·Joliet Street
25
Turn right
272 ft·19 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 41m estimated drive time, leaving Godfrey in the morning should allow you to reach Joliet with plenty of daylight to spare. The longest continuous stretch on I 55 is 219.9 miles, so consider a brief stop around the halfway point for fuel or a stretch break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $38, and it's always wise to top off before heading into longer highway segments. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient.
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 124.8 miles from Godfrey, IL, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.9 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 55 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.8 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 49m
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 Godfrey, 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 Godfrey, IL
This is one driving day of about 249.6 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Godfrey, 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 219.9 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.1 and 242.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
9.1 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward IL 111, IL 140: Alton, Bethalto
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 10
Toward IL 111, IL 140: Alton, Bethalto
7
9.3 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 111, IL 140: Bethalto
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 111, IL 140: Bethalto
7
118.9 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
148.2 mi into trip|~2h 48m 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
242.1 mi into trip|~4h 29m 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
$41.64 one way
$83.27 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$45.43
$90.86
premium
$5.25
$51.62
$103.24
diesel
$6.28
$61.67
$123.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.9
0
$26.21
$11.98
Efficient EV
62.4
0
$21.84
$9.98
EV Truck/SUV
99.8
1
$34.94
$15.97
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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 19, 2026
Origin
Godfrey, IL
Morning
in Godfrey on Thursday
Local time
6:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
SE 1 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Joliet, IL
Morning
in Joliet on Thursday
Local time
6:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
SSW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
43°F
Athens, IL
125 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
3 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 41m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 86.1
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 249.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to be on highways for 97% of this 249.6-mile drive. The bulk of your travel, a stretch of 219.9 miles, will be on I 55. Surface roads will only come into play for the initial and final portions of your trip. As you drive, you'll notice the frequent exits characteristic of major interstate travel.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 219.9 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and State Route 140. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.1 miles in.
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 249.6 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 9.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
814 ft495 ft
Total Climb
376 ft
Total Descent
445 ft
Highest Point
814 ft
~157.4 mi in
Elevation Range
319 ft
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 Godfrey, IL to Joliet, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
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 41m. Total distance: 249.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m 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 219.9 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 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 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Joliet, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
