This 138.2-mile drive from Joliet, IL to Savanna, IL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 13 minutes to complete. You'll navigate primarily using the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, US 52, and IL 26, with a 37% share of the journey on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $22, this Midwest to Midwest excursion offers a straightforward travel experience. It's a route that allows for flexibility, making it ideal for a relaxed day trip without the need for an overnight stop.
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
69.1 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
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
62.1 mi
1h 6m
US 52
40.7 mi
1h 2m
IL 26
9.3 mi
14m
Lincoln Highway
7.5 mi
11m
Plainfield Road
5.2 mi
11m
Joliet Road
2.5 mi
5m
Hill Avenue
2.4 mi
4m
North Lake Street
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 62.1 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet, IL and Savanna, IL.
1
Start on this road
272 ft·22 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Joliet Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Joliet Street
3
Turn left onto US 30
0.1 mi·19 sec·Cass Street
4
Continue on US 30
0.2 mi·39 sec·Western Avenue
5
Turn right onto US 30
0.3 mi·39 sec·North Center Street
6
Continue on US 30
5.2 mi·11 min·Plainfield Road
7
Continue on US 30
2.5 mi·5 min·Joliet Road
Use the right lane.
8
Turn slight right onto US 30; IL 59; US 66 Hist
1.2 mi·2 min·North Division Street
Use the right lane.
9
Turn left onto US 30
1.0 mi·1 min·143rd Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto US 30
7.5 mi·11 min·Lincoln Highway
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on Hill Avenue
2.4 mi·4 min·Hill Avenue
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on East Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Galena Boulevard
13
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·North Ohio Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto East New York Street
1.5 mi·2 min·East New York Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto IL 31
2.1 mi·3 min·North Lake Street
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on South Lincolnway Street
0.4 mi·39 sec·South Lincolnway Street
17
Take the ramp
387 ft·9 sec
Toward I 88 West Toll, IL 56 West Toll: Chicago, Dekalb-IowaUse the left lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 56
0.6 mi·1 min·IL 56
Toward I 88 West, IL 56 West: DeKalb-IowaUse the straight lane.
19
Merge onto I 88; IL 56; IL 110
2.8 mi·3 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110
59 mi·1 hr 3 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalbUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward IL 26: Dixon
22
Turn right onto IL 26
9.3 mi·14 min·IL 26
23
Continue on US 52; IL 26
37 mi·54 min·US 52; IL 26
24
Continue on US 52; IL 64
3.9 mi·7 min·US 52; IL 64
25
Arrive at destination
US 52; IL 64; IL 84
Trip Plan
For this 138.2-mile route, departing in the morning allows ample time to reach Savanna, IL, with a total estimated driving time of just over 3 hours. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to pace your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $22, and plan your refueling accordingly. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the transition off the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway onto US 52 and IL 26, as road conditions and speed limits may change.
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 69.1 miles from Joliet, IL, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.1 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 30 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.1 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Savanna, 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 138.2 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 62.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
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 0.1 and 28.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Joliet Street
At end of road, turn right onto Joliet Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
9.7 mi into trip|~21m in|US 30 / 143rd Street
Turn left onto US 30 / 143rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
24.8 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the ramp toward I 88 West Toll, IL 56 West Toll: Chicago, Dekalb-Iowa
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 88 West Toll, IL 56 West Toll: Chicago...
8
24.8 mi into trip|~47m in|IL 56
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 56 toward I 88 West, IL 56 West: DeKalb-Iowa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 88 West, IL 56 West: DeKalb-Iowa
8
28.2 mi into trip|~51m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.61 one way
$43.21 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.72
$47.45
premium
$4.89
$26.60
$53.19
diesel
$5.61
$30.51
$61.03
Estimated Tolls: $3.73
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(62.1 mi)$3.73
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.5
0
$14.51
$6.63
Efficient EV
34.6
0
$12.09
$5.53
EV Truck/SUV
55.3
0
$19.35
$8.84
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Joliet, IL
Late night
in Joliet on Tuesday
Local time
5:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 15 to 25 mph95% chanceLive 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
Savanna, IL
Late night
in Savanna on Tuesday
Local time
5:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
65°F
Aurora, IL
69 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
3h 13m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The drive presents a mixed profile, blending efficient highway travel with more local road segments. You'll experience a 37% highway share, including a significant 62.1-mile stretch on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. This means you can cover ground quickly for a good portion of the journey. As you transition to US 52 and IL 26, the character of the drive will likely shift, offering a different pace and feel as you approach your destination.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.1 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Joliet Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 138.2 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: at 0.1 miles (Joliet Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 9.7 miles (US 30 / 143rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Savanna, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Dekalb-Iowa along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 138.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.1 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.73 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Savanna, 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: at 0.1 miles (Joliet Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 9.7 miles (US 30 / 143rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Savanna, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
