Post Oak Rest Area - Northbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Sesser, IL to Joliet, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 17m
Distance
278.5 mi
448 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 4m
★
6 AM
5h 18m
8 AM
5h 45m
10 AM
5h 27m
12 PM
5h 25m
3 PM
5h 29m
5 PM
5h 43m
8 PM
5h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sesser, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Joliet, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Sesser, IL to Joliet, IL is 278.5 miles and takes about 5h 17m via I 57 and US 45, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day trip. You'll find it an efficient way to cover the distance with minimal fuss.
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
139.2 miles from Sesser, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 154.9 mi | 2h 45m |
| Ken Gray Expressway | 85.5 mi | 1h 32m |
| US 45 | 10.1 mi | 13m |
| Illinois Route 154 | 7 mi | 10m |
| Manhattan Road | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| West Joliet Road | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| West North Street | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| South State Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 154.9 mi, about 2h 45m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~897 veh/hr typical · worst 1,104
Quietest
3 AM
~139 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Sesser, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on IL 154
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
West Franklin Street
2
Continue on IL 154
7.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Illinois Route 154
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
4
Merge onto I 57
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
67 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
155 mi
·
2 hr 45 min
·
I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 318
Toward Bourbonnais Parkway
8
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bourbonnais Parkway
9
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
10 mi
·
13 min
·
US 45; US 52
10
Turn left onto US 52
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Joliet Road
11
Continue on US 52
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Arsenal Road
12
Continue on US 52
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West Joliet Road
13
Continue on US 52
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US Route 52
14
Continue on US 52
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
South State Street
15
Continue on US 52
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
West North Street
16
Continue on US 52
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Manhattan Road
17
Turn left onto US 52
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Manhattan Road
18
Continue on US 52
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Gardner Street
19
Turn left onto US 52
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Doris Avenue
20
Turn right onto US 52; IL 53
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Chicago Street
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6; IL 53
272 ft
·
12 sec
·
Chicago Street
22
Turn left onto West Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
West Washington Street
23
Turn right onto Joliet Street
520 ft
·
18 sec
·
Joliet Street
24
Turn right
272 ft
·
19 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 17m estimated drive time, leaving Sesser in the morning should allow you to reach Joliet well before evening. The route is mostly highway, so planning for just one stop is reasonable, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach Joliet, and remember that the entire trip is within Illinois, so you won't need to worry about state line crossings. The relatively short duration means you have flexibility if you decide to depart a little later.
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 139.2 miles from Sesser, IL, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154.9 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 61 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.2 miles or 2h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 9m
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 Sesser, 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 Sesser, IL
This is one driving day of about 278.5 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Sesser, 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 57 for about 154.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.2 miles from Sesser, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 154.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Main Line Station Rest Area - Northbound
0 mi from route
Illini Prairie Rest Area - Northbound
0 mi from route
Post Oak Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Main Line Station Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Illini Prairie Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rend Lake Rest Area (I57-SB)
0.1 mi from route
Green Creek Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Green Creek Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Truckomat Truck Wash - Effingham
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.5 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.6 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 7.6 and 278.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
7.6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
26.1 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
5
93.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
5
248.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m in
Take the exit toward Bourbonnais Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 318
Toward Bourbonnais Parkway
5
278.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 17m in
|
Joliet Street
Turn right onto Joliet Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.13 one way
$82.26 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
97 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $45.40 | $90.81 |
| premium | $4.72 | $51.71 | $103.42 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $52.59 | $105.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.6 | 1 | $29.24 | $13.37 |
| Efficient EV | 69.6 | 0 | $24.37 | $11.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.4 | 1 | $38.99 | $17.82 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Origin
Sesser, IL
Late night in Sesser on Monday
Local time
1:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
SW 3 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Joliet, IL
Late night in Joliet on Monday
Local time
1:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
SW 5 to 10 mph
19% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 17m 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.
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 268.9
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 93% of the 278.5 miles on major roads like I 57 and US 45. You'll experience a long stretch of 154.9 miles on I 57, offering consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will likely occur near the end of the trip, as you approach Joliet.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 154.9 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 278.5 miles you will encounter 14 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 7.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 26.1 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 93.5 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
755 ft
435 ft
Total Climb
467 ft
Total Descent
407 ft
Highest Point
755 ft
~179 mi in
Elevation Range
320 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Sesser, IL
Full guide →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 5h 17m. Total distance: 278.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 154.9 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 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.
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 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 26.1 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 93.5 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Joliet, IL before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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