Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Joliet, IL to Pontoon Beach, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 34m
Distance
249.8 mi
402 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 21m
★
6 AM
4h 35m
8 AM
5h 2m
10 AM
4h 44m
12 PM
4h 42m
3 PM
4h 46m
5 PM
5h 0m
8 PM
4h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Joliet, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Pontoon Beach, IL
Sarah O'Shea
Trip Overview
Joliet, IL to Pontoon Beach, IL is 249.8 miles and takes about 4h 34m via I-55, I-270, and I-80, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, entirely within Illinois. Given that it's almost entirely highway driving, this route is a straightforward connection between these two points. You'll spend most of your time on interstates, making it a functional option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Plan for a relatively quick trip if you're looking to cover ground.
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
124.9 miles from Joliet, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 230.6 mi | 4h 8m |
| I 270 | 8.1 mi | 9m |
| I 80 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| IL 111 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Pontoon Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Ottawa Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Chicago Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Breckenridge Lane | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 230.6 mi, about 4h 8m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,633 veh/hr typical · worst 2,039
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Pontoon Beach, 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
65 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
73 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 20B
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 270
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
I 270
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 6B
Toward IL 111 North: Wood River
14
Keep slight left at fork
158 ft
·
4 sec
15
Turn left onto IL 111
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
IL 111
16
Turn right onto Pontoon Road
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Pontoon Road
17
Turn right onto Breckenridge Lane
57 ft
·
5 sec
·
Breckenridge Lane
18
Turn right
30 ft
·
2 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day drive of around 4.5 hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Joliet mid-morning should get you to Pontoon Beach in the afternoon with plenty of time to spare. The longest stretch of highway is over 230 miles, so consider a fuel stop before hitting that segment, especially if you're starting with less than a full tank. With only one recommended stop and a low fuel cost estimate of $39, this route is quite economical. Keep an eye on traffic conditions around the Chicago area, as that's where you're most likely to encounter delays.
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 124.9 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 230.6 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 55 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.9 miles or 2h 18m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pontoon Beach, 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 249.8 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 230.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124.9 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 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 230.6 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.
Homestead Rest Area - Southbound
0 mi from route
Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Dixie Trucker's Home
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Coalfield Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Funks Grove Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Homestead Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
TA
1.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 238.6 — 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
7
238.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 20B
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.89 one way
$73.78 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $40.73 | $81.45 |
| premium | $4.72 | $46.38 | $92.76 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $47.17 | $94.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.9 | 0 | $26.23 | $11.99 |
| Efficient EV | 62.5 | 0 | $21.86 | $9.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.9 | 1 | $34.97 | $15.99 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Origin
Joliet, IL
Late night in Joliet on Sunday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
WNW 10 to 15 mph
62% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Pontoon Beach, IL
Late night in Pontoon Beach on Sunday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 to 12 mph
16% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
85°F
Bloomington, IL
125 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
4h 34m 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.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 163.7
View on nps.gov
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
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 99% highway, meaning you'll be on interstates for almost the entire 249.8 miles. The longest stretch without a significant exit is 230.6 miles, all on I-55. You'll notice the dense urban and suburban exits around the Chicago metropolitan area early on, transitioning to more open highway cruising as you head south. Expect minimal time on surface streets, as the route prioritizes interstate travel.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 230.6 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 270. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 6; IL 53 / Ottawa Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 249.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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
796 ft
417 ft
Total Climb
335 ft
Total Descent
459 ft
Highest Point
796 ft
~89.2 mi in
Elevation Range
379 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 Pontoon Beach, 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 Pontoon Beach, 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 4h 34m. Total distance: 249.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 230.6 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Pontoon Beach, 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. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Pontoon Beach, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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