Origin
Joliet, IL
Late night in Joliet on Tuesday
Local time
5:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Joliet, IL to Dayton, 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
2h 21m
Distance
127.9 mi
206 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 11m
★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Joliet, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Dayton, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Trip Overview
Joliet to Dayton is 127.9 miles and takes about 2h 21m via I 80 and Cleveland Road, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within the Midwest, traversing Illinois for its entirety. It's a straightforward, predominantly highway route designed for efficiency rather than extensive sightseeing. With a recommended duration of one day, it's ideal for a quick transit or a short weekend getaway.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
64 miles from Joliet, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 125.6 mi | 2h 15m |
| Cleveland Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Ottawa Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Chicago Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Dayton Corner B Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 125.6 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet, IL and Dayton, 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
122 mi
·
2 hr 11 min
·
I 80
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Davenport
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward Colona
9
Turn left onto Cleveland Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cleveland Road
10
Turn right onto Dayton Corner B Street
115 ft
·
5 sec
·
Dayton Corner B Street
11
Arrive at destination
Dayton Corner B Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 21 minutes, you have the flexibility to leave whenever works best for your schedule. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid any early rush hour traffic out of Joliet. With only a $20 fuel estimate, you likely won't need to worry about finding gas stations frequently, but it's always wise to top off before leaving Joliet. The longest continuous stretch on I 80 is over 125 miles, so plan for a brief stop before that segment if you prefer more frequent breaks.
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 64 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.6 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 28 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64 miles or 1h 10m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dayton, 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 127.9 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Joliet, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 125.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64 miles from Joliet, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.6 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 65 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 126.7 — 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
4
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
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
123.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
|
I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 West: Davenport
4
126.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
Take the exit toward Colona
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Colona
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.00 one way
$39.99 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.95 | $43.91 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.61 | $49.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.24 | $56.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.43 | $6.14 |
| Efficient EV | 32 | 0 | $11.19 | $5.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.2 | 0 | $17.91 | $8.19 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Dayton, IL
Late night in Dayton on Tuesday
Local time
5:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Granville, IL
64 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
18 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 21m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 98% of the drive on major roads like I 80. You'll experience a long stretch of 125.6 miles on I 80 before transitioning to Cleveland Road and Ottawa Street. Expect continuous cruising with minimal interruptions from surface streets until the very end of your trip. The sheer percentage of highway driving means you'll encounter a consistent flow of traffic and a predictable driving environment.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 125.6 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Cleveland 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 Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Joliet, IL to Dayton, IL is easy. At 2h 21m with 98% 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 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Dayton, IL
Full guide →Founded 1796
Top landmarks
- • National Museum of the United States Air Force — aerospace museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, United States
- • Wright Flyer III — third powered aircraft built by the Wright brothers
- • Dayton Art Institute — art museum and school in Dayton, Ohio
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 2h 21m. Total distance: 127.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 125.6 miles on I 80. 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 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Dayton, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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