Smithton, IL to Joliet, IL is 264.1 miles and takes about 4h 59m via I 55, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within Illinois, connecting two points in the Midwest region. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on the interstate, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without much fuss. If you're looking for a quick, efficient way to cover ground within the state, this route fits the bill.
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
132 miles from Smithton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
234.9 mi
4h 13m
North Illinois Street
9.8 mi
15m
North Main Street
7.4 mi
11m
I 80
5.1 mi
6m
Vandalia Street
2.8 mi
4m
South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi
1m
West Jefferson Street
0.3 mi
<1m
South Center Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 234.9 mi, about 4h 13m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,681 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,233
Quietest
2 AM
~156 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Smithton, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on Breckenridge Street
37 ft·3 sec·Breckenridge Street
2
Turn right onto IL 159
7.4 mi·11 min·North Main Street
3
Enter roundabout onto IL 159
177 ft·4 sec·North Illinois Street
4
Continue on IL 159
9.8 mi·15 min·North Illinois Street
5
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi·1 min·South Morrison Avenue
6
Continue on IL 159
2.8 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
8
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
3.8 mi·4 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 80
5.1 mi·6 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 131Toward Center Street
15
Continue on South Center Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·South Center Street
16
Continue on Hickory Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Hickory Street
17
Turn right onto US 30
0.3 mi·51 sec·West Jefferson Street
18
Turn left onto Joliet Street
174 ft·6 sec·Joliet Street
19
Turn right
272 ft·19 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 59m estimated drive time, this route is easily manageable in a single day. To make the most of your daylight, consider departing in the morning. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility; however, breaking up the 234.9-mile stretch on I 55 can help combat fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially since the estimated cost is $41, and plan for a fuel stop if needed. As you near Joliet, be prepared for the transition from interstate to city streets.
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 132 miles from Smithton, IL, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 234.9 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 58 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132 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 4m
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 Smithton, 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 Smithton, IL
This is one driving day of about 264.1 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Smithton, 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 234.9 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 7.4 and 256.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
7.4 mi into trip|~11m in|IL 159 / North Illinois Street
Enter roundabout onto IL 159 / North Illinois Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
25.5 mi into trip|~38m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springf...
7
133.4 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
162.8 mi into trip|~3h 6m 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
256.6 mi into trip|~4h 47m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.05 one way
$88.11 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$47.88
$95.76
premium
$5.26
$54.68
$109.36
diesel
$6.18
$64.25
$128.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.2
0
$27.73
$12.68
Efficient EV
66
0
$23.11
$10.56
EV Truck/SUV
105.6
1
$36.97
$16.90
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Smithton, IL
Morning
in Smithton on Sunday
Local time
6:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Clear
N 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:22AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Joliet, IL
Morning
in Joliet on Sunday
Local time
6:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Sunny
W 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:22AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
79°F
Athens, IL
132 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
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
4h 59m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 100.2
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 264.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway, with 91% of the 264.1 miles covered on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 234.9 miles on I 55, which means you'll be in highway cruising mode for most of the drive. Expect dense exits and merges as you navigate this primarily interstate path. The final portion of your drive will transition to surface streets like North Illinois Street and North Main Street as you approach Joliet.
91% 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: 234.9 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North Illinois Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.4 miles in near IL 159 / North Illinois Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 264.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.4 miles (IL 159 / North Illinois Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 25.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
818 ft472 ft
Total Climb
437 ft
Total Descent
368 ft
Highest Point
818 ft
~174.1 mi in
Elevation Range
346 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Smithton, IL and Joliet, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
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 59m. Total distance: 264.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 234.9 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 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 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.4 miles (IL 159 / North Illinois Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 25.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Joliet, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
