How far is Joliet, IL from River Forest, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to River Forest, IL is about 37.8 miles (60.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 29.3 miles (47.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 03m 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 01m.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and River Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and River 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
795 ft · 27 sec · East Jefferson Street
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4
Keep slight right to continue on East Jefferson Street
1967 ft · 1 min · East Jefferson Street
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5
Continue on Collins Street
2 mi · 5 min · Collins Street
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6
Continue on South State Street
4.3 mi · 10 min · South State Street
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7
Continue on South Archer Avenue
2.4 mi · 4 min · South Archer Avenue
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8
Turn left onto I 355 North: West Suburbs
2672 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
11.2 mi · 13 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 Toll: Aurora, Chicago
1 km · 1 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 East: Chicago
1.1 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
6 mi · 8 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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14
Merge slight right onto Eisenhower Expressway
4.4 mi · 6 min · Eisenhower Expressway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Des Plaines Avenue
1137 ft · 31 sec
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16
Turn left onto Des Plaines Avenue
2741 ft · 2 min · Des Plaines Avenue
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17
Turn left onto Madison Street
52 m · 6 sec · Madison Street
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18
Turn right onto Lathrop Avenue
1.3 mi · 4 min · Lathrop Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Augusta Street
97 m · 11 sec · Augusta Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Augusta Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and River 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.
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
11.2 mi · 00h 13m
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 Mostly Sunny near River Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to River Forest?
The road trip is about 37.8 miles (60.9 km) and usually takes 01h 01m 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?
Belmont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19 miles from Joliet and 19 miles from River Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 29.3 miles (47.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.5 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 4:26 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.05 one way or $10.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Joliet and Mostly Sunny near River Forest.
Stop Ideas Near Belmont
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 Belmont.
Naperville
La Grange Road
Summit
Joliet Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and River Forest. Straight-line distance: 29.25 mi (47.08 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 River Forest
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 10,694 |
| Coordinates | 41.8978100, -87.8139500 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: River Forest (-87.81395, 41.89781)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 61 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.05 | $10.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.70 | $11.40 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.24 | $12.47 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.11 | $14.21 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.