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Trip from Sherman, IL to Joliet, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 50m

Distance

153.6 mi

247 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 40m ★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 12m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
2h 59m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Sherman, IL, IL

Sherman, IL

Pho Tomass

city in Illinois, United States

Joliet, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 153.6-mile drive from Sherman, Illinois to Joliet, Illinois is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-55 and I-80, this route offers a highway-focused experience through the heart of the Midwest. With a fuel cost estimated at $24, it's an economical journey. The drive is designed for efficiency, making it ideal for those who prefer to cover distance quickly and simply. You'll find this route to be a practical option for getting from point A to point B without much fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

76.8 miles from Sherman, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 123.2 mi 2h 12m
I 55 Business 21.4 mi 23m
I 80 5.1 mi 6m
South Sherman Boulevard 1.2 mi 1m
West Jefferson Street 0.3 mi <1m
South Center Street 0.3 mi <1m
Hickory Street 0.2 mi <1m
Parkway Drive 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 123.2 mi, about 2h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sherman, IL and Joliet, IL.

1

Start on Parkway Drive

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Parkway Drive
2

At end of road, turn right onto IL 124

0.1 mi · 20 sec · East Andrew Road
3

Turn left onto I 55 Business

1.2 mi · 1 min · South Sherman Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4

Take the exit onto I 55 Business

21 mi · 23 min · I 55 Business
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

94 mi · 1 hr 40 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 250A Toward I 80 East: Indiana Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 80

5.1 mi · 6 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 131 Toward Center Street
10

Continue on South Center Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · South Center Street
11

Continue on Hickory Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Hickory Street
12

Turn right onto US 30

0.3 mi · 51 sec · West Jefferson Street
13

Turn left onto Joliet Street

174 ft · 6 sec · Joliet Street
14

Turn right

272 ft · 19 sec
15

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this route offers flexibility for departure times. You can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stop. Plan for one stop to refuel or stretch your legs, especially considering the longest stretch without a significant change in road is over 123 miles. The estimated fuel cost of $24 makes budgeting straightforward. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach Joliet, as I-80 can experience congestion, particularly during peak hours.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.8 miles from Sherman, IL, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.2 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 34 miles or 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 76.8 miles or 1h 24m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 17m

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 Sherman, 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 Sherman, IL

This is one driving day of about 153.6 miles and 2h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Sherman, 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 123.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Normal, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

77 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

Danvers, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Normal, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.8 miles from Sherman, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 123.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 146.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | IL 124 / East Andrew Road

At end of road, turn right onto IL 124 / East Andrew Road

Navigation decision point

7
22.9 mi into trip | ~26m 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
52.3 mi into trip | ~57m 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
146.1 mi into trip | ~2h 38m 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
146.9 mi into trip | ~2h 39m 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

$24.01 one way

$48.03 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $26.37 $52.73
premium $4.89 $29.56 $59.12
diesel $5.61 $33.91 $67.83

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.1 0 $16.13 $7.37
Efficient EV 38.4 0 $13.44 $6.14
EV Truck/SUV 61.4 0 $21.50 $9.83

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 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

Sherman, IL

Morning in Sherman on Tuesday

Local time

7:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Joliet, IL

Morning in Joliet on Tuesday

Local time

7:41 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

6 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

2h 50m 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-focused drive, with 98% of the journey on major interstates like I-55 and I-80. The character of the road is consistent, allowing for steady progress. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 123.2 miles on I-55, meaning extended periods of highway driving are the norm. This route prioritizes speed and directness over varied scenery, offering a predictable experience for drivers. The transition between I-55 and I-80 is a key point in the drive, but the overall feel remains that of efficient interstate travel.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 123.2 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 55 Business. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near IL 124 / East Andrew Road.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 153.6 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 0.2 miles (IL 124 / East Andrew Road): Navigation decision point; at 22.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Sherman, IL to Joliet, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

Peoria

52.3 mi in | ~57m | via I 55

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 2h 50m. Total distance: 153.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 123.2 miles on I 55. 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.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (IL 124 / East Andrew Road): Navigation decision point; at 22.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.3 miles (I 55): 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.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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