How far is Lake Forest, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance from Lake Forest, IL to Joliet, IL is about 62.9 miles (101.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 52.2 miles (84 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 29m 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 14m.
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 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 Lake Forest and Joliet.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Forest and Joliet.
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1
Start on Griffith Road
22 m · 3 sec · Griffith Road
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2
Turn straight onto East Woodland Road
1960 ft · 1 min · East Woodland Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Green Bay Road
2060 ft · 1 min · North Green Bay Road
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4
Turn right onto East Deerpath
1.6 km · 3 min · East Deerpath
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5
Take the ramp left toward Deerpath Road
1302 ft · 36 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto South Skokie Highway
926 ft · 12 sec · South Skokie Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IL 60
534 ft · 14 sec
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8
Continue on W Kennedy Road
2279 ft · 45 sec · W Kennedy Road
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9
Continue on Townline Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Townline Road
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10
Continue on East Townline Road
1.1 km · 1 min · East Townline Road
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11
Take the ramp left toward I 94 Toll East: Indiana
1872 ft · 49 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
20.1 mi · 25 min · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1.5 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1251 ft · 31 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 West Toll: Aurora
2633 ft · 50 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.2 km · 60 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 South: Joliet
1.2 km · 56 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.9 mi · 23 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Southwest Highway
2125 ft · 52 sec
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23
Turn right onto Maple Road
5.7 mi · 11 min · Maple Road
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24
Turn left onto North Ottawa Street
2196 ft · 1 min · North Ottawa Street
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25
Turn right
34 m · 8 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Forest 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.
Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
20.1 mi · 00h 25m
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 Lake Forest and Mostly Sunny near Joliet.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Forest to Joliet?
The road trip is about 62.9 miles (101.3 km) and usually takes 01h 14m 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?
Hillside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 33.2 miles from Lake Forest and 29.8 miles from Joliet.
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 10.7 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 4:00 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.37 one way or $16.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake Forest and Mostly Sunny near Joliet.
Stop Ideas Near Hillside
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 Hillside.
La Grange Road
Summit
Chicago Union Station
Glenview station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Forest and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 52.19 mi (83.99 km).
#1 Lake Forest
City in Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 19,379 |
| Coordinates | 42.2586300, -87.8406300 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| 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: 101 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $8.37 | $16.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $9.44 | $18.88 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $10.33 | $20.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $11.77 | $23.55 |
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.