Roxana, IL to Joliet, IL is 244.3 miles and takes about 4h 36m via I 55 and I 80, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving north through the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive, largely on major interstates, making it a practical choice for a quick transit between these two points. If you're looking for a simple, no-fuss drive that gets you where you need to go efficiently, this route fits the bill. Expect mostly highway miles with minimal detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
122.2 miles from Roxana, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
219.9 mi
3h 56m
State Route 140
9.7 mi
13m
I 80
5.1 mi
6m
West Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi
3m
Vaughn Road
1.7 mi
3m
North Central Avenue
1 mi
1m
North Bellwood Drive
0.9 mi
1m
West State Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 219.9 mi, about 3h 56m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,689 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,115
Quietest
2 AM
~152 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roxana, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on this road
52 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right
46 ft·6 sec
3
Turn left onto East Tydeman Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·East Tydeman Street
4
Turn right onto IL 111
1.0 mi·1 min·North Central Avenue
5
Continue on IL 111
1.7 mi·3 min·Vaughn Road
6
Continue on IL 111
0.7 mi·1 min·South Bellwood Drive
7
Continue on IL 111
0.9 mi·1 min·North Bellwood Drive
8
Turn right onto IL 140
1.8 mi·3 min·West Bethalto Drive
9
Continue on IL 140
9.6 mi·13 min·State Route 140
10
Continue on IL 140
0.8 mi·1 min·West State Street
11
Continue on IL 140
443 ft·13 sec·State Route 140
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
13
Merge onto I 55
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 55
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
94 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 80
5.1 mi·6 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 131Toward Center Street
19
Continue on South Center Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·South Center Street
20
Continue on Hickory Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Hickory Street
21
Turn right onto US 30
0.3 mi·51 sec·West Jefferson Street
22
Turn left onto Joliet Street
174 ft·6 sec·Joliet Street
23
Turn right
272 ft·19 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4h 36m drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to complete the 244.3 miles. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $37, you can likely make the entire trip without needing to refuel, but it's always wise to check your gauge before departing Roxana. The longest continuous stretch on I 55 is nearly 220 miles, so plan for a break before or after that section. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you get closer to Joliet, as congestion can increase.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 122.2 miles from Roxana, IL, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.9 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 54 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.2 miles or 2h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 45m
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 Roxana, 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 Roxana, IL
This is one driving day of about 244.3 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Roxana, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 219.9 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.7 and 237.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
16.7 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
7
113.7 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
143 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
236.9 mi into trip|~4h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 250A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
5
237.6 mi into trip|~4h 25m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.08 one way
$72.16 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$39.83
$79.66
premium
$4.72
$45.36
$90.72
diesel
$4.80
$46.13
$92.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.3
0
$25.65
$11.73
Efficient EV
61.1
0
$21.38
$9.77
EV Truck/SUV
97.7
1
$34.20
$15.64
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Roxana, IL
Late night
in Roxana on Monday
Local time
2:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
W 7 to 12 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Joliet, IL
Late night
in Joliet on Monday
Local time
2:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
WNW 10 to 15 mph62% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
67°F
Athens, IL
122 mi in
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 36m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
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 244.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 96% of the 244.3 miles taking place on interstates. You'll experience a very long stretch of 219.9 miles primarily on I 55. The transition to surface roads, like State Route 140, will likely occur towards the beginning or end of your drive. Given the high highway percentage, anticipate a steady pace with potentially frequent exits in certain sections as you approach more populated areas.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 219.9 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and State Route 140. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 16.7 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 244.3 miles you will encounter 13 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 16.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 113.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 143 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
790 ft443 ft
Total Climb
428 ft
Total Descent
330 ft
Highest Point
790 ft
~157.1 mi in
Elevation Range
347 ft
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 Roxana, IL to Joliet, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
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 4h 36m. Total distance: 244.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 219.9 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 113.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 143 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Joliet, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
