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Trip from Joliet, IL to Mount Sterling, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 28m

Distance

216.5 mi

348 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 15m ★
6 AM
4h 28m
8 AM
4h 55m
10 AM
4h 38m
12 PM
4h 35m
3 PM
4h 39m
5 PM
4h 54m
8 PM
4h 20m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Illinois, United States

Joliet, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Illinois, United States

Mount Sterling, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 216.5-mile drive from Joliet, IL, to Mount Sterling, IL, is a manageable 4-hour and 28-minute trip, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day adventure. You'll spend most of your time on the highway, with 89% of the journey utilizing major interstates and US routes like I-55, US-24, and I-74. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest journey is around $34. Given its duration and highway-focused profile, this route is best tackled in one go, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. It's a straightforward path across Illinois.

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

108.2 miles from Joliet, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 86.6 mi 1h 33m
US 24 48 mi 1h 6m
I 74 27.4 mi 29m
United States Highway 24 16.9 mi 25m
West Clinton Street 16.2 mi 24m
I 474 7.9 mi 8m
I 80 6.4 mi 7m
South Main Street 4.6 mi 6m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 86.6 mi, about 1h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Joliet, IL and Mount Sterling, 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

87 mi · 1 hr 33 min · I 55
Use the right lane.
9

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 74 West: Peoria Use the slight right lane.
10

Continue on I 74

27 mi · 29 min · I 74
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 474

7.9 mi · 8 min · I 474
Exit 99 Toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
12

Take the exit onto US 24

20 mi · 24 min · US 24
Exit 6A Toward US 24 West: Bartonville
13

Turn left

126 ft · 4 sec
14

Continue on US 24

0.2 mi · 17 sec · West Valley View Drive
15

Continue on US 24

17 mi · 25 min · United States Highway 24
16

Turn left onto US 24; IL 100

4.6 mi · 6 min · South Main Street
17

Continue on US 24; US 136; IL 100

28 mi · 42 min · US 24; US 136; IL 100
18

Turn right onto US 24

16 mi · 24 min · West Clinton Street
19

Turn right

350 ft · 20 sec
20

Turn left onto East North Street

49 ft · 4 sec · East North Street
21

Turn right onto East Court Street

341 ft · 17 sec · East Court Street
22

Turn right onto East Washington Street

6 ft · 0 sec · East Washington Street
23

Arrive at destination

East Washington Street

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour and 28-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Joliet to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and the majority of the route on the highway, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 86.6 miles on I-55, as services can be spaced out. This trip is easily completed in a single day, so focus on enjoying the straightforward drive to Mount Sterling.

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 108.2 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.6 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 48 miles or 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 108.2 miles or 2h 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 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Sterling, 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 216.5 miles and 4h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 86.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown West Peoria, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Peoria, IL

108 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

Normal, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cruger, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 108.2 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 86.6 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Silver Spoon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Joliet, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18157256202

Visit website

Silver Spoon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18157256202

Visit website

Sushi Ya

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+18157303838

Visit website

State Street Restaurant & Italian Pizza

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Lockport, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+18158389116

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484261

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484273

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Normal, Illinois

+13094549590

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 122.5 — 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
6
94.5 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in

Take the exit toward I 74 West: Peoria

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 74 West: Peoria
7
122.5 mi into trip | ~2h 15m in | I 474

Keep slight left at fork onto I 474 toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 99 Toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.85 one way

$67.69 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $37.16 $74.33
premium $4.89 $41.66 $83.33
diesel $5.61 $47.80 $95.60

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 75.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 65 0 $22.73 $10.39
Efficient EV 54.1 0 $18.94 $8.66
EV Truck/SUV 86.6 1 $30.31 $13.86

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

25 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 Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Joliet, IL

Late night in Joliet on Tuesday

Local time

4:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

44°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 15 to 25 mph 95% chance Live 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

Mount Sterling, IL

Late night in Mount Sterling on Tuesday

Local time

4:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

22 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 28m 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.

Pullman National Historical Park

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
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 216.5-mile trip, with 89% of your travel time spent on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 86.6 miles on I-55, offering a consistent pace. While primarily interstate, the route transitions through different highway types, including US-24 and I-74, which may offer slightly varied driving experiences. This isn't a winding backroad adventure, but rather a direct and efficient journey designed for covering distance.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.6 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 24. You will hit about 15 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 6/10

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 216.5 miles you will encounter 15 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.

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 Mount Sterling, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Rock Island along the way.

Rock Island

122.5 mi in | ~2h 15m | via I 474

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 4h 28m. Total distance: 216.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 86.6 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.

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 Mount Sterling, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Mount Sterling, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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