How Bad Is Joliet Traffic?

Joliet experiences some congestion, but not enough for it to be considered to have a traffic problem.
Written by Rob Shapiro
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Drivers in
Joliet
,
Illinois
shouldn’t worry too much about traffic. Traffic can shift from non-existent to heavy congestion rather quickly—so be prepared for that. Otherwise, you should be able to get from point A to point B with little trouble.
Joliet is a suburb of
Chicago
and an important shipping and transportation center that is home to the Jacob Henry Mansion and the Rialto Square Theatre. It also features some impressive historical areas and buildings. 
A city’s livability has to take its traffic into account. No one wants to spend an extra hour or two in bumper-to-bumper traffic or miss their kid’s soccer game because of a construction zone.
icon
Make safe driving pay
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning now
Jerry
, a licensed
insurance
broker app, has created this guide to help you better understand traffic in Joliet. We’ll review its traffic patterns, how the pandemic has changed driving trends, and provide some tips on how to get around Joliet with the least amount of frustration. 

How bad is Joliet traffic?

Despite having a sizable population of over 100,000 residents, Joliet seems to fare well in terms of traffic. There are times of the day and days of the week where volume and congestion spike, but even construction zones don’t consistently create devastating traffic jams. 
Like most parts of the US, traffic congestion in Joliet was reduced in 2020 due to COVID-19 forcing many people to work from home or to be out of work. Something of a “return to normal” came to be in 2021 for Joliet’s traffic flow and volume.
In 2021, Illinois officials announced plans to begin the Houboult Road Extension project. This construction project aims to improve traffic flow and freight movement in areas surrounding Joliet.

Why is Joliet traffic so good?

There isn’t one reason why Joliet traffic is good. It’s not a small town, and being a hub for shipping and freight movement should make it a destination for a lot of commuters. Let’s review a few potential factors that contribute to Joliet’s traffic patterns.

Urban Planning

Urban planning is often credited with good traffic flow. This can include public transportation, routes that connect urban and suburban areas, and how traffic lights are programmed.

Population size 

Joliet has a moderate population size compared to the rest of the state. This can help prevent congestion and result in fewer bottlenecks during peak traffic hours. 

Major chokepoints

Joliet’s traffic isn’t perfect, though. If you often take the following roads and streets, you should factor in extra commuting time:
  • W. Jefferson St./Lincoln Hwy
  • Clinton St.
  • N. Chicago St. 
  • W. Jackson St./Bridge St.
  • N. Broadway St.

Driving habits

Joliet drivers don’t exhibit any extreme driving habits, which is one reason why traffic never gets too bad. That said, rush hour is between 7 and 9 am and 3 and 7 pm. Knowing the most congested times, although milder than other cities, can help you plan your daily routes.
MORE:The best type of car insurance to get if you commute long distances
icon
Make safe driving pay
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning now
rating reverse-full
"I’m earning
awesome rewards
every week, just for driving safe!”

How to navigate Joliet traffic like a pro

Just because Joilet traffic isn’t bad enough to give most drivers
road rage
doesn’t mean there aren’t smart ways to efficiently navigate the area. 
Approximately
six million people die
in car accidents every year in the United States, so it’s always good to understand the best and safest way to drive in a city. This can minimize surprises, delays, and incidences.
Here are a few tips to drive around Joliet:
  • As mentioned above, rush hour in Joliet is between 7 and 9 am and 3 and 7 pm. Give yourself some extra time if you tend to drive during these hours.
  • Find a radio station that gives regular and reliable traffic updates. Some options include: 92.7 FM, 105.9 FM, 560 AM, 720 AM, 780 AM, 890 AM, 1060 AM, 1401 AM, and 1420 AM.
  • Avoid
    distracted driving
    , as it’s unsafe and can also cause you to drive slowly.

Prepare for Joliet traffic by updating your car insurance

Joliet drivers should take some time every six months to
review their car insurance
. The goal is to make sure you’re not paying even a dollar too much for the coverage you need. 
Use
Jerry
to find a policy that fits your budget and won’t leave you paying out of pocket if anything happens. Jerry pulls from its network of more than 50 top insurance providers to generate quotes that reflect your driving needs, history, and where you live. 
In no time, you can be like other Jerry users and save an average of $887 annually. You also get access to industry expertise and excellent support. 
 “WOW.
Jerry
has been so easy to use. I called a representative when I wanted some clarification, and they walked me through the entire process of finding a new rate for full coverage on my luxury vehicle.” —Beth G.
RECOMMENDED
Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry
This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
avatar
Gabriella R.
Find insurance savings
rating primary
4.7/5 Rating on App Store

FAQs

Joliet is not considered to be a hard city to drive in. Its traffic flow is relatively normal and doesn’t suffer from major traffic congestion or bottlenecks.
Rush hour is between 7 and 9 am and 3 and 7 pm. Anytime outside of rush hour is a good time to drive in Joliet.
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings