This 145.7-mile drive from Joliet, IL to Atwood, IL is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect the trip to take around 2 hours and 58 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-57, accounting for 74% of the drive, with some local road segments. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, this is an economical option for exploring the Midwest. You'll spend the majority of your time on well-maintained interstate, so plan for a direct and efficient travel experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
72.8 miles from Joliet, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
98.2 mi
1h 45m
South La Grange Road
10.1 mi
13m
County Road 950 North
8.8 mi
12m
US 45
8 mi
11m
Manhattan Road
5.3 mi
8m
South Cedar Road
3.1 mi
4m
West North Street
2.3 mi
3m
South State Street
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 98.2 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet, IL and Atwood, 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
1.0 mi·2 min·Chicago Street
5
Turn left onto US 52
0.1 mi·15 sec·Doris Avenue
6
Turn right onto US 52
0.3 mi·36 sec·Gardner Street
7
Continue on US 52
2.2 mi·3 min·Manhattan Road
8
Continue on US 52
3.1 mi·4 min·Manhattan Road
9
Continue on US 52
2.3 mi·3 min·West North Street
10
Continue on US 52
1.9 mi·3 min·South State Street
11
Continue on US 52
1.2 mi·1 min·US Route 52
12
Continue on US 52
3.1 mi·4 min·South Cedar Road
13
Continue on US 52
1.9 mi·2 min·West Arsenal Road
14
Continue on US 52
1.3 mi·1 min·West Joliet Road
15
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
10 mi·13 min·South La Grange Road
16
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
0.4 mi·40 sec·Bourbonnais Parkway
17
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward I-57 South: Kankakee
18
Merge onto I 57
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·I 57
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 220Toward US 45: Tolono, Pesotum, Tuscola
20
Turn straight onto US 45
8.0 mi·11 min·US 45
21
Turn right
0.2 mi·30 sec
22
Turn straight onto US 36
8.8 mi·12 min·County Road 950 North
23
Turn right onto Main Street
0.6 mi·59 sec·Main Street
24
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 58 minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You could depart in the morning and arrive by midday, leaving ample time at your destination. With only one recommended stop, you have a lot of flexibility in when and where you choose to rest. The estimated fuel cost is $23, so factor that into your budget. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-57 to County Road 950 North, as this marks the final leg of your journey into Atwood.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.8 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.2 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 32 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.8 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atwood, 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 145.7 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 57 for about 98.2 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 127.9 — 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
4
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in|US 52 / Doris Avenue
Turn left onto US 52 / Doris Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
1.6 mi into trip|~4m in|US 52 / Gardner Street
Turn right onto US 52 / Gardner Street
Navigation decision point
4
18.8 mi into trip|~30m in|US 45; US 52 / South La Grange Road
Turn right onto US 45; US 52 / South La Grange Road
Navigation decision point
6
127.9 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 45: Tolono, Pesotum, Tuscola
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 220
Toward US 45: Tolono, Pesotum, Tuscola
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.78 one way
$45.56 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.01
$50.02
premium
$4.89
$28.04
$56.08
diesel
$5.61
$32.17
$64.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.7
0
$15.30
$6.99
Efficient EV
36.4
0
$12.75
$5.83
EV Truck/SUV
58.3
0
$20.40
$9.32
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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 18, 2026
Origin
Joliet, IL
Late night
in Joliet on Tuesday
Local time
3:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 15 to 25 mph95% chanceLive forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued April 17 at 7:10PM CDT until April 17 at 7:30PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued April 17 at 7:09PM CDT until April 17 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Atwood, IL
Late night
in Atwood on Tuesday
Local time
3:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 17 mph95% chanceLive forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued April 17 at 7:10PM CDT until April 17 at 7:30PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued April 17 at 7:09PM CDT until April 17 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
67°F
Clifton, IL
73 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
4 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 58m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a highway-focused profile, with 74% of the drive taking place on high-speed roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 98.2 miles on I-57, meaning extended periods of consistent driving without frequent exits. While the interstate provides efficiency, be prepared for the typical interstate environment. The journey transitions from interstate to local county roads as you approach your destination, offering a slight change of pace in the final miles.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.2 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and South La Grange Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Joliet, IL to Atwood, IL is easy. At 2h 58m with 74% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (US 52 / Doris Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (US 52 / Gardner Street): Navigation decision point.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Joliet, IL and Atwood, IL, road signs point toward Pesotum and Tuscola.
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
The longest stretch is about 98.2 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (US 52 / Doris Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (US 52 / Gardner Street): Navigation decision point.
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 Atwood, IL before heading back.
