How far is Joliet, IL from Lake Forest, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Lake Forest, IL is about 61.6 miles (99.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 52.2 miles (84 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 04m 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 01h 32m.
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.
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Lake Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Lake Forest.
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1
Start on the route
34 m · 10 sec
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2
Turn right onto Ottawa Street
53 m · 12 sec · Ottawa Street
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3
Turn left onto East Jefferson Street
119 m · 19 sec · East Jefferson Street
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4
Turn left onto North Chicago Street
1.3 km · 2 min · North Chicago Street
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5
Continue on Ruby Street
842 ft · 24 sec · Ruby Street
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6
Turn right onto Broadway Street
4.1 mi · 8 min · Broadway Street
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7
Continue on Independence Boulevard
5.4 mi · 10 min · Independence Boulevard
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8
Continue on Joliet Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · Joliet Road
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9
Take the ramp straight toward I 355 South Toll, I 55 North: Suburbs, Chicago
33 m · 3 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
2653 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
7.8 mi · 10 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
29 mi · 36 min · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 60: Town Line Road
2941 ft · 58 sec
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17
Turn straight onto East Townline Road
2448 ft · 52 sec · East Townline Road
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18
Continue on Townline Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Townline Road
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19
Continue on W Kennedy Road
2498 ft · 49 sec · W Kennedy Road
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Skokie Highway
1396 ft · 30 sec · South Skokie Highway
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21
Take the exit slight right
1302 ft · 38 sec
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22
Turn right onto West Deerpath
1.2 mi · 3 min · West Deerpath
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23
Turn left onto North McKinley Road
2419 ft · 52 sec · North McKinley Road
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24
Turn slight right onto East Woodland Road
62 m · 7 sec · East Woodland Road
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25
Turn slight left onto Griffith Road
22 m · 3 sec · Griffith Road
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Griffith Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Lake Forest.
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.
Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
29 mi · 00h 36m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Joliet and Partly Sunny near Lake Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Lake Forest?
The road trip is about 61.6 miles (99.1 km) and usually takes 01h 32m 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?
Berkeley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30.8 miles from Joliet and 30.8 miles from Lake Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 52.2 miles (84 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 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 3:26 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.18 one way or $16.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Joliet and Partly Sunny near Lake Forest.
Stop Ideas Near Berkeley
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 Berkeley.
La Grange Road
Summit
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Lake Forest. Straight-line distance: 52.19 mi (83.99 km).
#1 Joliet
The second most populous city in Will County, Illinois.
| Population | 85,583 |
| Coordinates | 41.5251900, -88.0834000 |
| Altitude | 165 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Forest
City in Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 19,379 |
| Coordinates | 42.2586300, -87.8406300 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Forest (-87.84063, 42.25863)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 99 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $8.18 | $16.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $9.23 | $18.46 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $10.10 | $20.20 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $11.51 | $23.02 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.