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Find competitive rental car prices in Joliet, IL with Road Genius. Check rates for SUVs, compact cars, passenger vans and make reservations with no reservation fees. Pick up your ride in downtown Joliet or near Louis Joliet Mall to dodge Chicago airport surcharges and drive onto Route 66 or toward Chicagoland Speedway. Road Genius shows real-time deals from Enterprise, Hertz, Avis and Budget so you can compare mileage policies and book the car that fits your Joliet itinerary.
| Location | Advantages | Considerations |
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| Downtown Joliet |
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| Louis Joliet Mall Area |
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| Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) |
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| Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) |
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Major rental providers in Joliet include Enterprise, Hertz, Avis and Budget.
Public transit connections: Joliet is served by Metra commuter rail (Rock Island and Heritage Corridor lines) and Amtrak for direct service to Chicago. For visitors primarily staying in Joliet who plan occasional trips to Chicago, consider these options before committing to a rental.
On average, car rentals in Joliet cost around $79 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $24 per day.
Compare pick-up spots: Joliet city branches usually beat Midway and O'Hare by 15-25 % because they skip airport concession fees. Run the numbers before locking in.
Dodge NASCAR weekends: Rates spike and fleets sell out when Chicagoland Speedway hosts races. Shift your rental by a day or two or book extra early if those dates are fixed.
Mix rail + wheels: Take Metra into Chicago for sightseeing days and rent only for Route 66, Starved Rock or Speedway runs. Shorter rental = smaller bill.
Hunt weekend or weekly deals: Many Joliet locations drop prices Thu-Mon and a 7-day booking can cost less than 4 separate days. Always check both options in the quote screen.
Downtown parking: You'll find a mix of metered street spaces and public garages. Many meters have a 2-hour limit on weekdays. The Ottawa Street garage provides all-day options.
Attraction parking: Most shopping centers and suburban attractions offer free spaces. Downtown venues like Harrah's Casino and the Rialto Theatre offer dedicated lots (validation may be available).
Special event parking: During major events at Chicagoland Speedway or Route 66 Raceway, expect significant traffic congestion and special arrangements. Arrive early and follow directed routes.
Local driving rules:
Speed limits:
Get a car so you can drive to:
Starved Rock State Park – waterfalls, canyons
Chicagoland Speedway & Route 66 Raceway – NASCAR events
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie – bison habitat
Route 66 towns (Wilmington, Braidwood, Dwight) – diners, photo spots
How does the NASCAR race weekend affect car rentals in Joliet? Chicagoland Speedway doesn't host the big annual NASCAR Cup Series weekend anymore. The last one was in 2019. But the track still holds smaller NASCAR/ARCA races and other big motorsports events. When a large race or festival weekend is happening, many more people want to rent cars. This means prices go up and cars can get booked up early. If you're visiting during a big event at the speedway, you should book your car as far ahead as you can. Also, be aware that police may change local traffic routes.
Is it better to rent a car in Joliet or at Chicago airports? If you're staying mostly in Joliet, you'll save money on airport fees by renting in town. You also won't have to drive in Chicago traffic. But if you're flying into a Chicago airport, it might be easier to just rent a car there, even if it costs more. You should compare the total prices, including the cost of a ride to a rental place in Joliet.
What's the best way to explore Route 66 attractions from Joliet? Many people start their Route 66 trips in Joliet. If you rent a car, you can explore everything on your own schedule. Just follow the brown Route 66 signs through downtown Joliet and keep going southwest through Wilmington, Braidwood and Godley. Popular stops include the Joliet Area Historical Museum, the Gemini Giant in Wilmington and lots of diners and cool photo spots.
Do I need a car if I'm just visiting downtown Joliet? Downtown Joliet is small enough that you can easily walk around. If you're staying downtown and only visiting places like the Rialto Theatre, Harrah's Casino and museums, you probably don't need a car. But you will need a car to get to most other places, like the Chicagoland Speedway, shopping centers and nature preserves.
How do toll roads work around Joliet? I-355 and I-294 are toll roads near Joliet. They use an electronic system, so you won't stop to pay cash. You have two choices. You can sign up for your rental company's toll program, which adds a daily fee. Or, you can keep track of the tolls you pass and pay for them online within 14 days. The main highways that go through Joliet, I-80 and I-55, are free.
What's the best day trip destination from Joliet by car? Many people take a day trip to Starved Rock State Park. It's 65 miles (105 km) west on I-80 and has hiking trails, canyons and waterfalls. For a closer nature spot, you can visit Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, which is 15 miles (24 km) south. There you can see bison. If you want a city trip, you can drive to downtown Chicago in less than an hour when traffic is light.
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