This 119.2-mile drive from Prophetstown, IL, to Joliet, IL, will take you approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-80, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Midwest. With a modest fuel cost of around $19 and no recommended stops, it's perfectly suited for a single-day trip. The highway-focused profile means you'll cover ground efficiently, making it an ideal choice when you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss. Consider this your go-to for a quick and predictable transit between these two Illinois locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.6 miles from Prophetstown, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
98.2 mi
1h 46m
Bishop Road
18.6 mi
32m
Washington Street
0.4 mi
<1m
West Jefferson Street
0.3 mi
<1m
South Center Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Hickory Street
0.2 mi
<1m
North Canal Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Joliet Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 98.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prophetstown, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on IL 78
0.4 mi·39 sec·Washington Street
2
Continue on IL 78
19 mi·32 min·Bishop Road
3
Continue on IL 78
481 ft·14 sec·North Canal Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
5
Merge onto I 80
98 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 131Toward Center Street
7
Continue on South Center Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·South Center Street
8
Continue on Hickory Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Hickory Street
9
Turn right onto US 30
0.3 mi·51 sec·West Jefferson Street
10
Turn left onto Joliet Street
174 ft·6 sec·Joliet Street
11
Turn right
272 ft·19 sec
12
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 24-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. Since there are no designated stops and the longest stretch is nearly 100 miles, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps near exits with services. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 98.2-mile segment on I-80, to ensure you have enough to reach Joliet without worry. The $19 fuel cost estimate is a helpful budget point for this straightforward Midwest transit.
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 59.6 miles from Prophetstown, IL, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.2 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 26 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.6 miles or 1h 17m 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 58m
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 Prophetstown, 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 Prophetstown, IL
This is one driving day of about 119.2 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Prophetstown, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 98.2 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 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.1 and 119.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
19.1 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
19.3 mi into trip|~34m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
117.6 mi into trip|~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward Center Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 131
Toward Center Street
4
118.9 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|US 30 / West Jefferson Street
Turn right onto US 30 / West Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
4
119.2 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|Joliet Street
Turn left onto Joliet Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.64 one way
$37.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.46
$40.92
premium
$4.89
$22.94
$45.88
diesel
$5.61
$26.32
$52.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.8
0
$12.52
$5.72
Efficient EV
29.8
0
$10.43
$4.77
EV Truck/SUV
47.7
0
$16.69
$7.63
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 20, 2026
Origin
Prophetstown, IL
Morning
in Prophetstown on Tuesday
Local time
7:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Joliet, IL
Morning
in Joliet on Tuesday
Local time
7:14 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
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
2h 24m 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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 119.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 119.2-mile trip, with 82% of your journey on major roadways like I-80. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 98.2 miles on I-80, allowing for a consistent pace. While the profile is largely highway, you will also navigate sections on Bishop Road and Washington Street. This mix suggests a predominantly fast-paced drive with some transitions as you enter and exit populated areas, but the main character remains that of efficient road travel.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.2 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Bishop Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 19.1 miles in.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Prophetstown, IL to Joliet, IL is easy. At 2h 24m with 82% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 19.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 19.3 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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
The longest stretch is about 98.2 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 19.3 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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.
