How far is Carol Stream, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance from Carol Stream, IL to Joliet, IL is about 35.2 miles (56.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.9 miles (43.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 49m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Suburb of Chicago in Illinois, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carol Stream and Joliet.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carol Stream and Joliet.
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1
Start on West Thunderbird Trail
1243 ft · 55 sec · West Thunderbird Trail
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Aztec Drive
49 m · 12 sec · Aztec Drive
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3
Turn left onto Thunderbird Trail
62 m · 14 sec · Thunderbird Trail
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4
Turn left onto Kuhn Road
2294 ft · 59 sec · Kuhn Road
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5
Turn left onto North Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · North Avenue
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6
Continue on East North Avenue
4.2 mi · 7 min · East North Avenue
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
830 ft · 21 sec
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8
Continue on I 355 Toll South: Joliet
2358 ft · 58 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
25.9 mi · 31 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Southwest Highway
2125 ft · 52 sec
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11
Turn right onto Maple Road
5.7 mi · 11 min · Maple Road
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12
Turn left onto North Ottawa Street
2196 ft · 1 min · North Ottawa Street
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13
Turn right
34 m · 8 sec
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carol Stream and Joliet.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
25.9 mi · 00h 31m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Carol Stream and Sunny near Joliet.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carol Stream to Joliet?
The road trip is about 35.2 miles (56.7 km) and usually takes 00h 49m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Woodridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.5 miles from Carol Stream and 15.7 miles from Joliet.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.9 miles (43.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.68 one way or $9.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carol Stream and Sunny near Joliet.
Stop Ideas Near Woodridge
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Woodridge.
Naperville
La Grange Road
Summit
Joliet Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carol Stream and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 26.89 mi (43.28 km).
#1 Carol Stream
Town
| Population | 38,821 |
| Coordinates | 41.9125300, -88.1347900 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Joliet
The second most populous city in Will County, Illinois.
| Population | 85,583 |
| Coordinates | 41.5251900, -88.0834000 |
| Altitude | 165 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-88.083409, 41.525419)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 57 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.68 | $9.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.27 | $10.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.77 | $11.54 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.58 | $13.15 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · Apr 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.