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Trip from Joliet, IL to Buckhart, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 12m

Distance

171.3 mi

276 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 1m ★
6 AM
3h 13m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time
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city in Illinois, United States

Joliet, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Buckhart, IL, IL

Buckhart, IL

Mike Tyurin

Trip Overview

The drive from Joliet, IL to Buckhart, IL covers 171.3 miles and takes about 3h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, I 80, IL 29 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 153.9 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.56 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

85.7 miles from Joliet, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 153.9 mi 2h 45m
I 80 6.4 mi 7m
IL 29 4.2 mi 6m
Buckhart Road 4.1 mi 5m
East Main Street 0.7 mi 1m
Ottawa Street 0.4 mi 1m
Chicago Street 0.4 mi 1m
South Walnut Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 153.9 mi, about 2h 45m

Traffic on I-55

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~1,755 veh/hr typical · worst 2,214

Quietest

2 AM

~170 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

10.3×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 94 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 Buckhart, 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 126A Toward 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

61 mi · 1 hr 5 min · I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Toward IL 29 South: Taylorville
11

Merge onto IL 29

1.5 mi · 2 min · IL 29
12

Continue on IL 29

2.7 mi · 4 min · IL 29
Use the left lane.
13

Turn left onto South Walnut Street

206 ft · 6 sec · South Walnut Street
Use the left lane.
14

At end of road, turn right onto East Main Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
15

Continue on Buckhart Road

4.1 mi · 5 min · Buckhart Road
16

Arrive at destination

Buckhart Road

Trip Plan

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 85.7 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.9 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 38 miles or 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 85.7 miles or 1h 35m 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 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buckhart, 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 171.3 miles and 3h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 153.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Bloomington, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

86 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

Minooka, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 85.7 miles from Joliet, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 153.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 166.4 — 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

5
1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
7.6 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 126A Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
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
6
166.4 mi into trip | ~3h 4m in | South Walnut Street

Turn left onto South Walnut Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.56 one way

$53.12 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.32 $29.12 $58.24
premium $4.93 $33.23 $66.47
diesel $5.60 $37.76 $75.52

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 59.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51.4 0 $17.99 $8.22
Efficient EV 42.8 0 $14.99 $6.85
EV Truck/SUV 68.5 0 $23.98 $10.96

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 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 Sep 1, 2026

Origin

Joliet, IL

Late night in Joliet on Saturday

Local time

4:36 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Isolated Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy

SSW 5 mph 17% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 2:29PM CDT until September 4 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 2:29PM CDT until September 4 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Destination

Buckhart, IL

Late night in Buckhart on Saturday

Local time

4:36 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Mostly Clear

SSW 9 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 2:29PM CDT until September 4 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 2:29PM CDT until September 4 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

64°F

Bloomington, IL

86 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

2 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

3h 12m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

171.3 mi in 3h 12m, mostly highway — 153.9 mi of that is on I 55.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153.9 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 171.3 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

768 ft 531 ft

Total Climb

345 ft

Total Descent

325 ft

Highest Point

768 ft

~97.9 mi in

Elevation Range

237 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 Buckhart, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.

Springfield

100.9 mi in | ~1h 52m | via I 55

About the Cities

Starting 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

Arriving in Buckhart, IL

Full guide →

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 3h 12m. Total distance: 171.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 153.9 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 1.1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Buckhart, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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