Origin
Riverdale, IL
Morning in Riverdale on Tuesday
Local time
8:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Riverdale, IL to Joliet, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
42m
Distance
28.3 mi
46 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 39m
★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 50m
10 AM
0h 45m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 45m
5 PM
0h 49m
8 PM
0h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Riverdale, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Joliet, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 28.3-mile drive from Riverdale, IL, to Joliet, IL, is an easy day trip, taking about 42 minutes to complete. It's a highway-focused journey, with 76% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-80 and I-57, making it a quick transit between two Midwest locations. The estimated fuel cost is a modest $4, reflecting the short distance. Given its brevity, you won't need to consider overnight stays, and the lack of designated stops means you can plan your own breaks as needed. This route is all about efficient travel within Illinois.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 18 mi | 21m |
| I 57 | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| East 147th Street | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Halsted Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West 144th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Chicago Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 4th Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Richards Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 18 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverdale, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on West 144th Street
37 ft
·
6 sec
·
West 144th Street
2
Continue on West 144th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 144th Street
Use the left lane.
3
At end of road, turn left onto IL 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Halsted Street
4
Turn right onto IL 83
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
East 147th Street
5
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 57 South
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 294 Toll South, I 57 South: Indiana, Memphis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
8
Merge onto I 57
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 345B
Toward I 80 West: Iowa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 80
18 mi
·
21 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 133
Toward Richards Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
265 ft
·
6 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto Richards Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Richards Street
14
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Avenue
15
Turn sharp right onto US 6; IL 53
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Chicago Street
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6; IL 53
272 ft
·
12 sec
·
Chicago Street
17
Turn left onto West Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
West Washington Street
18
Turn right onto Joliet Street
520 ft
·
18 sec
·
Joliet Street
19
Turn right
272 ft
·
19 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 26.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
IL 1 / Halsted Street
At end of road, turn left onto IL 1 / Halsted Street
Navigation decision point
8
3.7 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 294 Toll South, I 57 South: Indiana, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 294 Toll South, I 57 South: Indiana, M...
7
8.3 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Iowa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 345B
Toward I 80 West: Iowa
7
26.7 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the exit toward Richards Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 133
Toward Richards Street
7
26.9 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.42 one way
$8.85 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $4.86 | $9.72 |
| premium | $4.89 | $5.45 | $10.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.25 | $12.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.97 | $1.36 |
| Efficient EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.48 | $1.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.3 | 0 | $3.96 | $1.81 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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 Tuesday
Local time
8:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
18 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
42m 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?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 28.3-mile trip, with 76% of the drive on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 18 miles on I-80, offering a consistent pace. You'll navigate on I-80 and I-57, with a segment on East 147th Street, meaning the road character shifts from faster interstate speeds to potentially more local traffic as you approach your destination. This profile suggests a drive that is largely about covering ground efficiently rather than scenic exploration.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 57. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near IL 1 / Halsted Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 17 decision points packed into just 28.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 42m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (IL 1 / Halsted Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Riverdale, IL to Joliet, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
3.7 mi in
|
~8m
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 42m. Total distance: 28.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18 miles on I 80. 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 0.5 miles (IL 1 / Halsted Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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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