This 125.9-mile drive from Groveland, IL to Joliet, IL is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes. You'll be spending about 93% of your time on major interstates, primarily I-55, I-74, and I-80, making it a straightforward highway-focused journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $20, this route is an economical option for a quick trip within the Midwest. It's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two Illinois locations without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63 miles from Groveland, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
86.7 mi
1h 33m
I 74
25.1 mi
26m
I 80
5.1 mi
6m
West Birchwood Street
2.2 mi
3m
Edgewater Drive
0.9 mi
1m
Springfield Road
0.8 mi
1m
I 155
0.4 mi
<1m
West Jefferson Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 86.7 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Groveland, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on Washington Street
352 ft·20 sec·Washington Street
2
Turn left onto Springfield Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Springfield Road
3
Turn right onto IL 98
0.9 mi·1 min·Edgewater Drive
4
Continue on IL 98
2.2 mi·3 min·West Birchwood Street
5
Turn left
0.5 mi·34 sec
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 155
0.4 mi·30 sec·I 155
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 74 East: Bloomington
8
Merge onto I 74
25 mi·26 min·I 74
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.4 mi·2 min
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
10
Merge onto I 55; US 51
87 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 55; US 51
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 80
5.1 mi·6 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 131Toward Center Street
14
Continue on South Center Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·South Center Street
15
Continue on Hickory Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Hickory Street
16
Turn right onto US 30
0.3 mi·51 sec·West Jefferson Street
17
Turn left onto Joliet Street
174 ft·6 sec·Joliet Street
18
Turn right
272 ft·19 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2 hour and 24 minute duration, this 125.9-mile trip from Groveland to Joliet is best tackled in one go. You can easily depart mid-morning to avoid rush hour and still arrive comfortably in the afternoon. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, keeping your tank topped up is simple. The longest stretch without a major interchange is 86.7 miles on I-55, so plan your restroom and refreshment breaks accordingly before you get too far into that segment.
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 63 miles from Groveland, IL, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.7 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63 miles or 1h 12m 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 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 Groveland, 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 Groveland, IL
This is one driving day of about 125.9 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Groveland, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 86.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 118.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4 mi into trip|~7m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
4.9 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 74 East: Bloomington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 74 East: Bloomington
6
30.4 mi into trip|~36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
5
31.8 mi into trip|~39m in|I 55; US 51
Merge onto I 55; US 51
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
118.5 mi into trip|~2h 12m 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
$19.68 one way
$39.37 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$21.61
$43.22
premium
$4.89
$24.23
$48.46
diesel
$5.61
$27.80
$55.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.8
0
$13.22
$6.04
Efficient EV
31.5
0
$11.02
$5.04
EV Truck/SUV
50.4
0
$17.63
$8.06
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Groveland, IL
Morning
in Groveland on Tuesday
Local time
7:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Joliet, IL
Morning
in Joliet on Tuesday
Local time
7:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 15 to 25 mph95% chanceLive forecast
68°F
Fairbury, IL
63 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
7 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
2h 24m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 125.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 93% of the drive occurring on interstates. The main arteries you'll navigate are I-55, I-74, and I-80, promising consistent speeds and minimal local traffic interruptions. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 86.7 miles on I-55, so be prepared for extended periods of steady driving. While not characterized by winding backroads, this highway-centric profile ensures a direct and efficient path to your destination.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4 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 13 significant decision points across 125.9 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 4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 30.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 2h 24m. Total distance: 125.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m 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 86.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 30.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
