Joliet, IL Dis-ers

[Jaylie]

Is this a good stopping place on our way cross-country (to DL and SF). Don't want to be too close to the city of Chicago, and this looks like a good place on Route 80. Thanks

 

[HHSTigerFan]

Would be an ok place, few decent hotels out on Houboult/Emress Dr... Tinley Park at either Harlem(Rt 43) or LaGrange(Rt 45) would probably be a better option.. IMO

 

[MissSixty]

keep driving...

 

[Tam1067]

There is nothing wrong with Joliet. I work there, and it's fine for what you're looking for.

As another person said, there are some decent basic chain hotels (Fairfield, Hampton, etc.) near the Houbolt/Empress exit off of I-80. There's a Cracker Barrell there as well as some fast food stuff. Nothing much to see though unless you like to gamble because it's near the Empress Casino.

Someone else also mentioned the Tinley Park area which is about 20-30 minutes east of Joliet. You have two exits off of I-80 that have hotels. The LaGrange Road (Route 45--exit 145) exit has a Homewood Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, and Country Inn & Suites. There are several restaurants in that area.

The Harlem exit (exit 143) has more hotels--Fairfield, Hampton, an upscale Holiday Inn next to a convention center, and several other chains. Also at the Harlem exit is a large shopping center with SuperTarget, Best Buy, Kohl's, and other places in case you need something.

I think any of those locations will work. You will have more options in Tinley Park though (and I live there, so we could use your revenue ).

 

[Manda]

Joliet's your standard working class city... perfectly decent place to stop for the night. It's nothing exciting or pretty, but there's nothing wrong with it either.

 

[NotUrsula]

If you're traveling in summer, make sure to reserve in advance. There is a large concert venue nearby in Tinley Park (the 1st Midwest Bank Amphitheatre), and also a NASCAR track (Chicagoland Speedway). Rooms in the Joliet area fill up for events at those places.

 

[backyardponder]

Are you sure you want to take I-80? One of the worst bottlenecks in the country is where I-80 goes along the southern tip of Lake Michigan. Everybody and their brother who is heading east or west out of Chicago, Wisconsin, etc. is on that road. In addition to I-80 traffic, there's I-94 and I-65 which merge in the same area onto the same road. Add all the trucks to that and it is something many of us in the western suburbs of Chicago avoid.

Not knowing where you are coming from, I'd suggest considering cutting south through Indianapolis or something else.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Have to agree with others. Its ok, but nothing spectacular. In Joliet, I would only stay at the Houlbot exit. There is a hamptom Inn, Fairfield Inn, another marriott type extended stay place. This is the better section. Also have a mcdonalds, arby's, and cracker barrel. There is a gas station available too.

The rt. 45 exit does have a hilton garden & another [sorry can't think of it] might be a fairfield inn. There is a texas roadhouse steakhouse there.

If you are heading east on 80 to indiana and beyond. Check your time. If it is not a rush hour time, keep going. As said above this is a traffic nightmare around here. I would keep going till past Indiana's 65. Then it evens out a bit. If your heading west from joliet, there is not that much past here for a long time. You would be smart to wait if its late. Rush hour here is 6am > till after 10am & then reverses 4pm > 8pm. Fridays and weekends are up for grabs.

Joliet used to be a city by itself. Now, its like a southern chicago suburb. There is a commuter train to chicago with frequent runs. I55 is a bigger mess to chicago if your even thinking about it. What should be a 30 minute drive could take up to 3 hours.

As with any city & traveling. Be cautious and smart. You will be fine.

 

[Becky2005]

Hmmm....depends on when you hit I-80 I guess. We just came back that way from CT and I didn't think it was too bad...you just have to really watch your signs and make sure you are following 80W (if I'm reading the OP correctly she is coming East going to DL/SF area) since there is construction in the area, I think it was in the 80/94 merge? I know we were 80/90 for a while though. We just got back yesterday, you would think I could remember the area I'm talking about.

We followed I-80 all the way across but we were also connecting to I-355 North. My dad has done the drive to CT a bunch of times and that seems to be the easiest to get around Chicago traffic (ALL the routes have Chicago traffic, some more than others).