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Trip from Zion, IL to Joliet, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 50m

Distance

80.8 mi

130 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 42m ★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 46m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Lake County, Illinois, United States

Zion, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Illinois, United States

Joliet, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Connecting Zion to Joliet covers roughly 80.8 miles, making this a manageable one-day trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes. You will primarily navigate a network of major thoroughfares, including the Tri-State, Veterans Memorial, and Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollways. Given the duration, you can easily complete this journey in a single session without needing to book an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $12 on fuel to get from the northern edge of the state down to Joliet. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the transition between these two Illinois points is straightforward and consistent. It is a highly practical drive for those looking to reach their destination efficiently without unnecessary complications.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

40.4 miles from Zion, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Tri-State Tollway 32.7 mi 41m
Veterans Memorial Tollway 19.9 mi 22m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 6.5 mi 7m
Maple Road 5.7 mi 11m
IL 137 5.5 mi 7m
Sheridan Road 4.3 mi 8m
Buckley Road 3 mi 4m
North Ottawa Street 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Tri-State Tollway — 32.7 mi, about 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 27th Street

0.4 mi · 58 sec · 27th Street
2

Turn right onto IL 137

4.3 mi · 8 min · Sheridan Road
3

Turn left onto IL 137

0.3 mi · 31 sec · West Greenwood Avenue
Use the left lane.
4

Take the ramp onto IL 137

5.5 mi · 7 min · IL 137
Toward IL 137 Use the right lane.
5

Turn right onto IL 137

3.0 mi · 4 min · Buckley Road
Use the left lane.
6

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward I 94 Toll East: Chicago Use the left lane.
7

Merge onto I 94

11 mi · 12 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

20 mi · 25 min · Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare Use the slight right lane.
9

Take the exit onto I 294

1.0 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana Use the slight right lane.
11

Continue on I 294

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 49 sec
Exit 31A Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

0.8 mi · 59 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110

5.8 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road) Use the slight right lane.
15

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec
Exit 131A Toward I 355 South: Joliet Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto I 355

20 mi · 22 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Exit 1 Toward US 6: Southwest Highway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Turn right onto US 6

5.7 mi · 11 min · Maple Road
19

Turn left onto IL 53

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Ottawa Street
20

Turn right

111 ft · 8 sec
21

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trek, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. You will not need to plan for any formal stops along the 80.8-mile path, allowing you to drive straight through if you prefer. Keep in mind that your $12 fuel budget assumes a standard vehicle, so factor in any additional toll fees that may apply to these specific Illinois roadways. A pro tip for this route is to monitor your GPS closely while transitioning between the Tri-State, Veterans Memorial, and Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollways to ensure you don't miss a turn. Staying alert during these transitions is the best way to keep your travel time close to the 1 hour and 50 minute estimate.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.4 miles from Zion, IL, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.7 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 18 miles or 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 40.4 miles or 55m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 30m

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 Zion, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Zion, IL

This is one driving day of about 80.8 miles and 1h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Zion, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 32.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Des Plaines, IL

40 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

Mundelein, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Des Plaines, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 40.4 miles from Zion, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Steven's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Woodridge, Illinois

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 57.7

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16308109812

Visit website

LongHorn Steakhouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bolingbrook, Illinois

1.3 mi

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Downers Grove, Illinois

1.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukegan, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 5.8

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Steven's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 57.7

Woodridge, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16308109812

Visit website

LongHorn Steakhouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 63.5

Bolingbrook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16307830684

Visit website

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 51.9

Downers Grove, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13312159463

Visit website

Tacochela Mexican Restaurant and Catering

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 57.7

Downers Grove, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+16304478226

Visit website

Simon's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 51.9

Villa Park, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16305300200

Visit website

Silver Spoon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 80.8

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18157256202

Visit website

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Expensive mile 51.9

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Expensive mile 46.2

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 5.8

Waukegan, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Hansa Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 17.3

Libertyville, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18472268815

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 51.9

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 24.9 and 47.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
24.9 mi into trip | ~35m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
7
45 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
8
46 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
8
46.6 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 31A Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
8
47.9 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.00 one way

$23.99 round trip

$3.77/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $13.53 $27.06
premium $4.65 $14.80 $29.61
diesel $5.30 $16.87 $33.75

Estimated Tolls: $3.75

Tri-state Tollway (32.7 mi) $1.96
Veterans Memorial Tollway (19.9 mi) $1.39
Reagan Memorial Tollway (6.5 mi) $0.40

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.3 kg one way.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.2 0 $8.48 $3.88
Efficient EV 20.2 0 $7.07 $3.23
EV Truck/SUV 32.3 0 $11.31 $5.17

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (68% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Zion, IL

Night in Zion on Saturday

Local time

11:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Joliet, IL

Night in Joliet on Saturday

Local time

11:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°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

8 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

1h 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?

This trip is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring your full attention as you transition between different tollway systems. While about 7 percent of the route consists of highway driving, the experience is defined by the technical nature of navigating these interconnected roads. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 32.7 miles while on the Tri-State Tollway, which serves as the most significant portion of your transit. Because the route relies on shifting between major tollways, the road personality is functional and fast-paced rather than leisurely. Be prepared for constant adjustments as you move through the local infrastructure of the region.

Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.7 mi on Tri-State Tollway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.9 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.8 miles you will encounter 18 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 24.9 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

720 ft 598 ft

Total Climb

211 ft

Total Descent

153 ft

Highest Point

720 ft

~13.5 mi in

Elevation Range

122 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Zion, IL and Joliet, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).

O'hare

24.9 mi in | ~35m | via I 294

Indiana

45 mi in | ~1h 1m | via I 294

22Nd Street (Cermak Road)

47.9 mi in | ~1h 6m | via I 88; IL 110

About the Cities

Starting in Zion, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1901

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 1h 50m. Total distance: 80.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 32.7 miles on Tri-State Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.75 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

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.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 24.9 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): 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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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