Prairie Grove to Joliet is 68.9 miles and takes about 1 hour 38 minutes via I 355 and IL 53, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward drive between two points in the same state. With a significant portion on the highway, this route offers a relatively quick transit. You'll spend most of your time on major roads, so expect a practical, no-frills drive connecting these suburban areas. It's a good option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently within the region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.5 miles from Prairie Grove, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 355
31.4 mi
37m
IL 53
11.3 mi
14m
South Rand Road
10.1 mi
13m
Maple Road
5.7 mi
11m
West State Road
4.1 mi
7m
North Rand Road
2.4 mi
3m
Nish Road
1.8 mi
4m
West Liberty Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 355
— 31.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prairie Grove, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on Barreville Road
0.2 mi·45 sec·Barreville Road
2
Turn left onto Nish Road
1.8 mi·4 min·Nish Road
3
Turn left onto IL 176
4.1 mi·7 min·West State Road
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on IL 176
0.4 mi·1 min·West Liberty Street
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·47 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 12; IL 59
10 mi·13 min·South Rand Road
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 12
2.4 mi·3 min·North Rand Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward IL 53 SouthUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto IL 53
4.4 mi·5 min·IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
7.0 mi·9 min·IL 53
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355
31 mi·37 min·I 355
Exit 7Toward I 355 South Tollway: JolietUse the slight left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 1Toward US 6: Southwest HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto US 6
5.7 mi·11 min·Maple Road
14
Turn left onto IL 53
0.4 mi·1 min·North Ottawa Street
15
Turn right
111 ft·8 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of this 1 hour 38 minute drive, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning, perhaps after 9 AM, could help you avoid the peak rush hour traffic in the Chicago metropolitan area. With only 68.9 miles and a fuel cost around $11, you won't need to worry much about extensive stops for gas or long breaks. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 31.4 miles on I 355, so plan your last fuel stop before you get on that segment if you prefer to fill up on surface roads.
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 34.5 miles from Prairie Grove, IL, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.4 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 15 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.5 miles or 52m 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 20m
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 Prairie Grove, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Prairie Grove, IL
This is one driving day of about 68.9 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Prairie Grove, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 355 for about 31.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 62.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2 mi into trip|~5m in|IL 176 / West State Road
Turn left onto IL 176 / West State Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
19.3 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the ramp toward IL 53 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward IL 53 South
8
24 mi into trip|~38m 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
30.9 mi into trip|~48m 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
62.4 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
$10.77 one way
$21.54 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$11.83
$23.65
premium
$4.89
$13.26
$26.52
diesel
$5.61
$15.21
$30.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.7
0
$7.23
$3.31
Efficient EV
17.2
0
$6.03
$2.76
EV Truck/SUV
27.6
0
$9.65
$4.41
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 16, 2026
Origin
Prairie Grove, IL
Night
in Prairie Grove on Saturday
Local time
11:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Joliet, IL
Night
in Joliet on Saturday
Local time
11:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°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
1 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 38m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 62% of this drive is on the highway, primarily on I 355. You'll experience a longest stretch of 31.4 miles on I 355 before transitioning to surface roads like IL 53 and South Rand Road. Expect to encounter more frequent exits and traffic as you move from the highway to these arterial routes. The shift from high-speed interstate to more regulated surface streets will be noticeable.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 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?
8/10
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 2 miles in near IL 176 / West State Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 2 miles (IL 176 / West State Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 24 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 38m. Total distance: 68.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). 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 2 miles (IL 176 / West State Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 24 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Joliet, IL before heading back.
