Joliet, IL to Alorton, IL is 257.5 miles and takes about 4h 44m via I-55, I-255, and I-80, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-Illinois route stays within the Midwest region, primarily utilizing major interstate highways. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on the interstate, making it a practical choice for a quick drive between these two points. If you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground with minimal fuss, this route fits the bill.
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
128.7 miles from Joliet, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
239.8 mi
4h 19m
I 255
7 mi
8m
I 80
6.4 mi
7m
New Missouri Avenue
0.6 mi
<1m
Ottawa Street
0.4 mi
1m
Chicago Street
0.4 mi
1m
North 42nd Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Old Missouri Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 239.8 mi, about 4h 19m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,733 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,150
Quietest
2 AM
~161 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Joliet, IL and Alorton, IL.
1
Start on this road
111 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto US 6; IL 53
0.3 mi·43 sec·Ottawa Street
3
Continue on US 6; IL 53
0.1 mi·21 sec·Ottawa Street
4
Continue on US 6; IL 53
0.4 mi·1 min·Chicago Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
6
Merge onto I 80
6.4 mi·7 min·I 80
Use the right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 126AToward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
Merge onto I 55
93 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
Use the right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 10Toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270
12
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward I 255 South: Memphis
13
Merge onto I 255
7.0 mi·8 min·I 255
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 17BToward IL 15 West: Missouri Avenue, East Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto IL 15
0.6 mi·51 sec·New Missouri Avenue
16
Turn left onto IL 163
492 ft·22 sec·Old Missouri Avenue
17
Turn right onto North 42nd Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·North 42nd Street
18
Turn left onto East Broadway
19 ft·0 sec·East Broadway
19
Arrive at destination
East Broadway
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 44m duration, leaving Joliet in the morning allows you to reach Alorton by lunchtime. With only one recommended stop, you can easily break up the drive with a quick break or meal. The primary concern on this route is monitoring your fuel, especially with a budget of around $40. Keep an eye on your gas gauge as you cover the long stretches on I-55, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. Plan your fuel stops accordingly to avoid any issues.
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 128.7 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 239.8 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 57 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.7 miles or 2h 22m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alorton, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Joliet, 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 Joliet, IL
This is one driving day of about 257.5 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Joliet, 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 239.8 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 0 and 256.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street
Turn right onto US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street
Navigation decision point
8
100.9 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
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 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
7
165.7 mi into trip|~3h 2m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
6
247.8 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 10
Toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270
8
256.2 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Take the exit toward IL 15 West: Missouri Avenue, East Saint Louis
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 17B
Toward IL 15 West: Missouri Avenue, East Saint...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.03 one way
$76.05 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$41.98
$83.96
premium
$4.72
$47.81
$95.62
diesel
$4.80
$48.62
$97.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.3
0
$27.04
$12.36
Efficient EV
64.4
0
$22.53
$10.30
EV Truck/SUV
103
1
$36.05
$16.48
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Joliet, IL
Afternoon
in Joliet on Sunday
Local time
12:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
SW 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Alorton, IL
Afternoon
in Alorton on Sunday
Local time
12:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
67°F
Athens, IL
129 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
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
4h 44m 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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 159.8
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on the interstate, with a 98% highway share. You'll be on I-55 for the longest continuous stretch of 239.8 miles. Expect to encounter a high density of exits and interchanges as you navigate these major roadways. The transition to surface roads, if any, will be minimal and occur very late in the trip.
98% 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: 239.8 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 255. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street.
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 13 significant decision points across 257.5 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: near the start (US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street): Navigation decision point; at 100.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 165.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
836 ft417 ft
Total Climb
400 ft
Total Descent
524 ft
Highest Point
836 ft
~92 mi in
Elevation Range
420 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 Joliet, IL to Alorton, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield 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 44m. Total distance: 257.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 239.8 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 Alorton, 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street): Navigation decision point; at 100.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 165.7 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 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Alorton, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
