Origin
Lake Zurich, IL
Morning in Lake Zurich on Sunday
Local time
11:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Zurich, IL to Joliet, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 17m
Distance
57 mi
92 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 11m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 22m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 29m
8 PM
1h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Zurich, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Joliet, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 57-mile drive from Lake Zurich, Illinois, to Joliet, Illinois, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 17 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate via I-355 and IL-53, with Maple Road also playing a role. The journey is predominantly highway-focused, so expect a consistent pace. With an estimated fuel cost of $9, this route is budget-friendly for a quick excursion within the Midwest. No overnight stays are necessary, and you can complete this trip in a single day without feeling rushed.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 355 | 31.4 mi | 37m |
| IL 53 | 11.3 mi | 14m |
| Maple Road | 5.7 mi | 11m |
| Rand Road | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| North Rand Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| West Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Ottawa Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Ela Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 355
— 31.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Zurich, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on North Old Rand Road
68 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Old Rand Road
2
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
West Main Street
3
Continue on IL 22
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
West Main Street
4
Turn left onto Ela Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Ela Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto US 12
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Rand Road
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 12
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North Rand Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward IL 53 South
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto IL 53
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
IL 53
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355
31 mi
·
37 min
·
I 355
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 1
Toward US 6: Southwest Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto US 6
5.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Maple Road
13
Turn left onto IL 53
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Ottawa Street
14
Turn right
111 ft
·
8 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.5 miles from Lake Zurich, 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 50.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Ela Road
Turn left onto Ela Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
7.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the ramp toward IL 53 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward IL 53 South
8
12.1 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53 toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
8
19.1 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
I 355
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
7
50.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward US 6: Southwest Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1
Toward US 6: Southwest Highway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.91 one way
$17.82 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.78 | $19.57 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.97 | $21.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.58 | $25.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.1 | 0 | $5.98 | $2.74 |
| Efficient EV | 14.3 | 0 | $4.99 | $2.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.8 | 0 | $7.98 | $3.65 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Joliet, IL
Morning in Joliet on Sunday
Local time
11:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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 17m 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 drive presents a highway-focused profile, with 75% of your travel on faster roads like I-355. You'll experience a longest stretch of 31.4 miles on I-355, offering a sustained period of consistent speed. While primarily on major arteries, the route incorporates local roads like IL-53 and Maple Road, which can introduce slightly different driving conditions. Overall, expect a functional journey designed for efficient travel rather than scenic detours.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.4 mi on I 355.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 355 and IL 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Ela Road.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 57 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 0.7 miles (Ela Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving 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 17m. Total distance: 57 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.4 miles on I 355. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Joliet, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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: at 0.7 miles (Ela Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Joliet, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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