Origin
Joliet, IL
Late night in Joliet on Tuesday
Local time
4:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Joliet, IL to Colfax, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
83.7 mi
135 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 41m
★
6 AM
1h 49m
8 AM
2h 5m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 53m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 4m
8 PM
1h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Joliet, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Joliet, IL to Colfax, IL is 83.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 49 minutes via I 55, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, making it a simple connection between two points. The route is predominantly highway, so expect a consistent pace for most of the drive. With a duration under two hours and minimal stops suggested, this trip is ideal for a quick weekday commute or a relaxed weekend excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.8 miles from Joliet, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 49.4 mi | 53m |
| North 1600 East Road | 7.3 mi | 9m |
| North 3400 East Road | 6.7 mi | 11m |
| I 80 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| North 3360 East Road | 6.1 mi | 10m |
| North 1500 East Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| West Reynolds Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| IL 116 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 49.4 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet, IL and Colfax, 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
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 55
Use the right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
Toward IL 23: Pontiac, Streator
10
Keep slight left at fork
111 ft
·
2 sec
Toward IL 23: Pontiac, Streator
11
Turn left onto IL 23
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North 1500 East Road
12
Turn right onto IL 23
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Old Route 66
13
Continue on IL 116
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
IL 116
14
Turn left onto West Reynolds Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Reynolds Street
15
Turn right onto South Mill Street
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
South Mill Street
16
Turn left onto West Torrance Avenue
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
West Torrance Avenue
17
Turn right onto South Manlove Street
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
South Manlove Street
18
Continue on CH 10
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
North 1600 East Road
19
Continue on CR 13
6.1 mi
·
10 min
·
North 3360 East Road
20
Continue on CR 13
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
East 2600 North Road
21
Continue on CR 13
6.7 mi
·
11 min
·
North 3400 East Road
22
Continue on CR 13
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Harrison Street
23
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
East Main Street
24
Arrive at destination
West Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 1 hour 49 minutes, there's no need to split this drive, offering you flexibility with your departure time. Aim to leave mid-morning to avoid peak commuter traffic out of Joliet. The fuel cost is estimated at $13, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart. Since this route has no recommended stops, plan for any necessary breaks before you begin or once you arrive in Colfax.
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 41.8 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.4 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.8 miles or 48m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colfax, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Joliet, IL
This is one driving day of about 83.7 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Joliet, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 49.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.8 miles from Joliet, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 57.7 — 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
5
7.9 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 55
Merge onto I 55
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
57.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 23: Pontiac, Streator
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 23: Pontiac, Streator
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.09 one way
$26.17 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.37 | $28.73 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.11 | $32.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.48 | $36.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.79 | $4.02 |
| Efficient EV | 20.9 | 0 | $7.32 | $3.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.5 | 0 | $11.72 | $5.36 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Colfax, IL
Late night in Colfax on Tuesday
Local time
4:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
67°F
Gardner, IL
42 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
3 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
1h 49m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a significant highway segment, with 68% of the 83.7 miles on I 55. You'll experience a longest stretch of 49.4 miles on I 55 before transitioning to surface roads. The final portion of the drive will involve navigating local roads like North 1600 East Road and North 3400 East Road, which will likely feature a different pace with more intersections.
68% 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: 49.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North 1600 East Road. You will hit about 14 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 83.7 miles you will encounter 14 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
775 ft
513 ft
Total Climb
385 ft
Total Descent
173 ft
Highest Point
775 ft
~77.7 mi in
Elevation Range
262 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Colfax, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Streator along the way.
Streator
57.3 mi in
|
~1h 5m
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
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 1h 49m. Total distance: 83.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.4 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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.
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 Colfax, IL before heading back.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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