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Trip from Green Oaks, 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

1h 32m

Distance

67.6 mi

109 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 25m ★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 28m

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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Downtown Green Oaks, IL, IL

Green Oaks, IL

Petra Kopásková

city in Illinois, United States

Joliet, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 67.6-mile drive from Green Oaks, IL, to Joliet, IL, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 32 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Tri-State Tollway, Veterans Memorial Tollway, and Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of $11, it’s an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The journey offers a practical, no-frills experience, making it ideal for those prioritizing efficiency.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

33.8 miles from Green Oaks, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Tri-State Tollway 30.7 mi 38m
Veterans Memorial Tollway 19.9 mi 22m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 6.5 mi 7m
Maple Road 5.7 mi 11m
Atkinson Road 1.1 mi 4m
Saint Marys Road 0.7 mi 1m
North Ottawa Street 0.4 mi 1m
East Park Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Tri-State Tollway — 30.7 mi, about 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Atkinson Road

1.1 mi · 4 min · Atkinson Road
2

Turn left onto Saint Marys Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Saint Marys Road
3

Turn left onto IL 176

0.4 mi · 42 sec · East Park Avenue
4

Continue on IL 176

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Rockland Road
5

Turn left

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward I 94 Toll East: Indiana
6

Merge onto I 94

9.1 mi · 10 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

20 mi · 25 min · Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare Use the slight right lane.
8

Take the exit onto I 294

1.0 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana Use the slight right lane.
10

Continue on I 294

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 49 sec
Exit 31A Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

0.8 mi · 59 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110

5.8 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road) Use the slight right lane.
14

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec
Exit 131A Toward I 355 South: Joliet Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Merge onto I 355

20 mi · 22 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Exit 1 Toward US 6: Southwest Highway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Turn right onto US 6

5.7 mi · 11 min · Maple Road
18

Turn left onto IL 53

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Ottawa Street
19

Turn right

111 ft · 8 sec
20

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 1 hour and 32-minute duration, this route offers great flexibility. You can depart at any time of day without needing to split the drive. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan for a brief fuel or rest break at your discretion along the way. Keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always a good idea, especially considering the $11 estimated cost. A practical tip: be aware of potential tollway congestion, particularly during peak commuting hours, which could slightly extend your travel time.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 33.8 miles from Green Oaks, IL, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.7 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 15 miles or 21m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 33.8 miles or 46m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 14m

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 Green Oaks, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Green Oaks, IL

This is one driving day of about 67.6 miles and 1h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Green Oaks, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 30.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

village in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lombard, IL

34 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

Northbrook, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lombard, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 33.8 miles from Green Oaks, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 · final third

LongHorn Steakhouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bolingbrook, Illinois

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third · 26min to go 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16307830684

Visit website

Tacochela Mexican Restaurant and Catering

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Downers Grove, Illinois

1 mi

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Downers Grove, Illinois

1.8 mi

Best coffee break

Hansa Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Libertyville, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18472268815

Visit website

LongHorn Steakhouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Bolingbrook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16307830684

Visit website

Tacochela Mexican Restaurant and Catering

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Downers Grove, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+16304478226

Visit website

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Downers Grove, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13312159463

Visit website

Carrabba's Italian Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Woodridge, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304270900

Visit website

Cebu Lechon House & New Chinese Kitchen

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv

Woodridge, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16309104100

Visit website

Steven's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Woodridge, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16308109812

Visit website

Simon's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Villa Park, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16305300200

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour Expensive

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

Hansa Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Libertyville, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18472268815

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

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 11.8 and 34.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
11.8 mi into trip | ~17m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
7
31.9 mi into trip | ~43m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
8
32.8 mi into trip | ~45m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
8
33.4 mi into trip | ~46m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 31A Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
8
34.7 mi into trip | ~48m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.57 one way

$21.14 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 24 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $11.60 $23.21
premium $4.89 $13.01 $26.02
diesel $5.61 $14.93 $29.85

Estimated Tolls: $3.63

Tri-state Tollway (30.7 mi) $1.84
Veterans Memorial Tollway (19.9 mi) $1.39
Reagan Memorial Tollway (6.5 mi) $0.40

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

$11

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 23.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 20.3 0 $7.10 $3.24
Efficient EV 16.9 0 $5.91 $2.70
EV Truck/SUV 27 0 $9.46 $4.33

Gas CO2

24 kg

EV CO2

8 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 21, 2026

Origin

Green Oaks, IL

Late night in Green Oaks on Tuesday

Local time

4:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Joliet, IL

Late night in Joliet on Tuesday

Local time

4:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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 warmer at arrival

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

Road read

1h 32m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

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...

20 mi from route ~50 min detour Free near mile 35
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 67.6-mile journey, with a 0% highway share. While there are no long stretches of pure highway, the longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 30.7 miles on the Tri-State Tollway. This route will feel more like navigating through a series of connected local roads and tollways rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. Be prepared for more frequent adjustments and a less predictable pace as you transition between different road segments.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.7 mi on Tri-State Tollway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.8 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 67.6 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 11.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.9 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Green Oaks, IL and Joliet, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).

O'hare

11.8 mi in | ~17m | via I 294

Indiana

31.9 mi in | ~43m | via I 294

22Nd Street (Cermak Road)

34.7 mi in | ~48m | via I 88; IL 110

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 1h 32m. Total distance: 67.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 30.7 miles on Tri-State Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.63 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state 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.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 11.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.9 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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