This 71.8-mile drive from North Chicago, IL to Joliet, IL is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes. You'll primarily navigate using the Tri-State Tollway, Veterans Memorial Tollway, and Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, with tollways making up 100% of the route. Expect a fuel cost of around $11 for this journey. Since there are no recommended stops, this route is best suited for a direct transit, offering a straightforward connection within the Midwest region. It's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.9 miles from North Chicago, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Tri-State Tollway
32.7 mi
41m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.9 mi
22m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
6.5 mi
7m
Maple Road
5.7 mi
11m
Buckley Road
3 mi
4m
Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
0.8 mi
1m
Sheridan Road
0.6 mi
<1m
North Ottawa Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 32.7 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Chicago, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on Fellows Place
0.1 mi·32 sec·Fellows Place
2
Turn right onto 18th Street
155 ft·10 sec·18th Street
3
Turn right onto IL 137
0.6 mi·39 sec·Sheridan Road
4
Continue on IL 137
0.8 mi·1 min·Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
5
Turn right onto IL 137
3.0 mi·4 min·Buckley Road
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 94 Toll East: ChicagoUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 94
11 mi·12 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
20 mi·25 min·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'HareUse the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit onto I 294
1.0 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, IndianaUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
0.2 mi·30 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, IndianaUse the slight right lane.
11
Continue on I 294
0.4 mi·47 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15AToward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Exit 31AToward I 88 West Toll: AuroraUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
0.8 mi·59 sec·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
5.8 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·55 sec
Exit 131AToward I 355 South: JolietUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 355
20 mi·22 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 1Toward US 6: Southwest HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto US 6
5.7 mi·11 min·Maple Road
19
Turn left onto IL 53
0.4 mi·1 min·North Ottawa Street
20
Turn right
111 ft·8 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of this 1-hour and 35-minute trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. With no mandated stops, you can easily make this a quick transit. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, with an estimated cost of $11, and plan your fuel stops accordingly before you depart or during a brief pause. A specific tip for this route: be aware of the numerous toll plazas and keep your toll pass readily accessible to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted journey through the tollway system.
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 35.9 miles from North Chicago, IL, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.7 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 16 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.9 miles or 45m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Joliet, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North Chicago, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from North Chicago, IL
This is one driving day of about 71.8 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from North Chicago, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 32.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 16 and 38.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
16 mi into trip|~20m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
7
36.1 mi into trip|~46m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
8
37 mi into trip|~47m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
8
37.6 mi into trip|~49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31A
Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
8
38.9 mi into trip|~51m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.23 one way
$22.45 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$12.32
$24.65
premium
$4.89
$13.82
$27.63
diesel
$5.61
$15.85
$31.71
Estimated Tolls: $3.75
Tri-state Tollway
(32.7 mi)$1.96
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(19.9 mi)$1.39
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(6.5 mi)$0.40
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
$11
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.5
0
$7.54
$3.45
Efficient EV
18
0
$6.28
$2.87
EV Truck/SUV
28.7
0
$10.05
$4.60
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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 20, 2026
Origin
North Chicago, IL
Late night
in North Chicago on Tuesday
Local time
4:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Joliet, IL
Late night
in Joliet on Tuesday
Local time
4:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
6 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 35m 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.
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 37.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Get ready for a turn-heavy local drive, as this route is characterized by its 100% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 32.7 miles on the Tri-State Tollway. While predominantly highway, the frequent transitions and connections between the Tri-State Tollway, Veterans Memorial Tollway, and Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway will keep you engaged. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; rather, it's a series of well-connected, high-speed segments that require your attention as you navigate the system.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.7 mi on Tri-State Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.8 miles you will encounter 17 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 16 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between North Chicago, IL and Joliet, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).
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 1h 35m. Total distance: 71.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.7 miles on Tri-State Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.75 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state 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.
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 16 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): 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.
