This 103.1-mile drive from Harlem, IL to Joliet, IL is a straightforward one-day trip, easily completed in about 2 hours and 5 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, I-355, and Maple Road, with 36% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest jaunt is around $16, making it an economical option. Given its manageable length and duration, this route is well-suited for a single day of travel without the need for an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.5 miles from Harlem, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
54.3 mi
58m
I 355
31.4 mi
37m
Maple Road
5.7 mi
11m
I 290
5.7 mi
7m
North Perryville Road
2.3 mi
3m
East Riverside Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Harlem Road
0.5 mi
<1m
North Ottawa Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
— 54.3 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harlem, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on Harlem Road
0.5 mi·58 sec·Harlem Road
2
Turn right onto North Perryville Road
2.3 mi·3 min·North Perryville Road
3
Turn left onto East Riverside Boulevard
0.8 mi·1 min·East Riverside Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
5
Merge onto I 39; I 90; US 51
4.3 mi·4 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
20 mi·21 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
30 mi·31 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 68A-BToward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West SuburbsUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 68AToward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West SuburbsUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·33 sec·this road
Exit 68AToward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
11
Merge onto I 290; IL 53
5.7 mi·7 min·I 290; IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355
31 mi·37 min·I 355
Exit 7Toward I 355 South Tollway: JolietUse the slight left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 1Toward US 6: Southwest HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto US 6
5.7 mi·11 min·Maple Road
15
Turn left onto IL 53
0.4 mi·1 min·North Ottawa Street
16
Turn right
111 ft·8 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 2-hour drive, flexibility is key. You can easily depart anytime that suits your schedule, as it's designed to be completed in a single day. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps after the longest stretch of highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $16, and it's always wise to be prepared. A good tip for this route is to check tollway conditions before you leave, as the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway can experience traffic.
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 51.5 miles from Harlem, IL, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.3 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 23 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.5 miles or 58m 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 38m
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 Harlem, 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 Harlem, IL
This is one driving day of about 103.1 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Harlem, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for about 54.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.3 and 96.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
8.3 mi into trip|~11m in|I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
58.4 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 68A-B
Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
9
58.9 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 68A
Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West S...
8
65.1 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|I 355
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
7
96.5 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward US 6: Southwest Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1
Toward US 6: Southwest Highway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.12 one way
$32.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.70
$35.39
premium
$4.89
$19.84
$39.68
diesel
$5.61
$22.76
$45.53
Estimated Tolls: $3.80
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(50.1 mi)$3.50
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(4.3 mi)$0.30
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
$16
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.9
0
$10.83
$4.95
Efficient EV
25.8
0
$9.02
$4.12
EV Truck/SUV
41.2
0
$14.43
$6.60
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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 17, 2026
Origin
Harlem, IL
Late night
in Harlem on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Joliet, IL
Late night
in Joliet on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Widespread Fog
ESE 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
5 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 5m 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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 88.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, blending highway speeds with other road types. While 36% of your journey will be on highways, you'll also encounter stretches on roads like Maple Road. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll experience is 54.3 miles, primarily on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. This means you'll have a good amount of time on faster roads, but be prepared for potential variations in speed and road conditions as you transition.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.3 mi on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.3 miles in near I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 103.1 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 8.3 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.9 miles: 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.
On the drive from Harlem, IL to Joliet, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Suburbs 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 2h 5m. Total distance: 103.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (36%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.3 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.80 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.3 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.9 miles: 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.
