South Roxana, IL to Joliet, IL is 245.6 miles and takes about 4h 38m via I-55 and I-80, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest and entirely within Illinois, offering a straightforward connection between two points in the state. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, this route is best suited for a single-day drive. Expect a practical, no-frills transit rather than a scenic tour, ideal for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
122.8 miles from South Roxana, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
227.1 mi
4h 4m
I 80
5.1 mi
6m
Edwardsville Road
2.5 mi
3m
Marine Road
2.5 mi
4m
Old Alton Edwardsville Road
1.3 mi
3m
North Main Street
1.3 mi
3m
Madison Street
0.8 mi
1m
East Vandalia Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 227.1 mi, about 4h 4m
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 South Roxana, IL and Joliet, IL.
1
Start on Sinclair Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Sinclair Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto Madison Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Madison Street
3
Continue on Madison Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Madison Avenue
4
Continue on Old Alton Edwardsville Road
1.3 mi·3 min·Old Alton Edwardsville Road
5
Turn left onto Bender Road
0.2 mi·19 sec·Bender Road
6
Turn right onto IL 143
2.5 mi·3 min·Edwardsville Road
7
Continue on IL 143; IL 159
1.3 mi·3 min·North Main Street
8
Turn left onto IL 143; IL 157
0.8 mi·1 min·East Vandalia Street
9
Continue on IL 143
2.5 mi·4 min·Marine Road
10
Turn left onto IL 143
0.6 mi·58 sec·IL 143
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Use the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 55
104 mi·1 hr 52 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 80
5.1 mi·6 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 131Toward Center Street
18
Continue on South Center Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·South Center Street
19
Continue on Hickory Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Hickory Street
20
Turn right onto US 30
0.3 mi·51 sec·West Jefferson Street
21
Turn left onto Joliet Street
174 ft·6 sec·Joliet Street
22
Turn right
272 ft·19 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this single-day drive of about 4.5 hours, leaving in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Joliet. With a fuel cost estimated at $39, it's wise to fill up before you leave South Roxana or at one of the many service areas along I-55. The longest continuous stretch is over 200 miles, so plan for a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you near the end of the long interstate segments, as services can sometimes be spaced out.
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 122.8 miles from South Roxana, IL, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 227.1 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 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.8 miles or 2h 22m 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 47m
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 South 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 South Roxana, IL
This is one driving day of about 245.6 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from South 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 227.1 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 0.3 and 238.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Madison Street
At end of road, turn right onto Madison Street
Navigation decision point
5
11 mi into trip|~22m in|I 55
Merge onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
Merge point - match speed before joining. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
7
114.9 mi into trip|~2h 14m 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
144.3 mi into trip|~2h 45m 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
238.1 mi into trip|~4h 26m 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
$40.97 one way
$81.94 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$44.53
$89.05
premium
$5.26
$50.85
$101.70
diesel
$6.18
$59.75
$119.49
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: 85.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.7
0
$25.79
$11.79
Efficient EV
61.4
0
$21.49
$9.82
EV Truck/SUV
98.2
1
$34.38
$15.72
Gas CO2
86 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
South Roxana, IL
Morning
in South Roxana on Sunday
Local time
7:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
NE 1 to 6 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
7:14 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
123 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
5 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 38m 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 245.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 95% of the 245.6 miles on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 227.1 miles primarily on I-55 before transitioning to I-80. The final segment will involve Edwardsville Road, marking the end of the high-speed cruising. Be prepared for the high number of exits typical of interstate driving for much of this trip.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 227.1 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 80. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Madison Street.
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 245.6 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 0.3 miles (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 11 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
797 ft439 ft
Total Climb
440 ft
Total Descent
338 ft
Highest Point
797 ft
~157.9 mi in
Elevation Range
358 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 South 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 38m. Total distance: 245.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 227.1 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 0.3 miles (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 11 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.9 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Joliet, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
