Drive / Drive / Metra RI to Joliet to Joliet / I&M Canal
I&M Canal Joliet to Morris
Canal towpath mileage close enough for drive or Metra-assisted experiments.
Worth The Train Needs recheck 1h 20m to good stuff 32 mi 2/5 intervals
Decision
Worth The Train dry trail, want nearby unpaved miles, weekday morning
Avoid flooding, post-storm debris, confusing detours
Workout gravel endurance / towpath
Surface Mixed: Towpath and connector riding; surfaces vary by section and weather.
Access
Chicago to Joliet / I&M Canal 1h 10m typical drive time
10 min roll to the useful riding
Drive is simplest. Metra to Joliet is plausible if you are comfortable with the rollout.
Confidence
Geometry Generated
Surface Inferred
Access Link only
Last checked 2026-05-28
Scouting card: verify trail status, access, and route shape before treating the GPX as ride-ready.
Hazards
- Towpath gaps and detours · medium Have a map ready around Joliet and canal crossings.
- Flooding · medium Canal and river-adjacent sections can be messy after rain.
Effort Windows
- Canal steady state · 20-60 min More continuous endurance than intervals.
This is one of the practical local expansion cards: close enough to try, variable enough that it still needs a conditions check.
Planning note: this entry was added as an off-road possibility. Treat the GPX and map line as scouting geometry until replaced with a ridden or sourced route file.
Ride Sheet
Drive Chicago to Joliet / I&M Canal
Access 1h 20m to good stuff
Workout gravel endurance, towpath, nearby exploring, steady work
Bailouts Joliet, Channahon, Morris
Water Joliet, Channahon, Morris
Bathrooms Trailheads and parks when open
Best When dry trail, want nearby unpaved miles, weekday morning
Avoid flooding, post-storm debris, confusing detours