How far is Cairo, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance from Cairo, IL to Joliet, IL is about 349.9 miles (563.1 km), with a travel time of about 06h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 317.7 miles (511.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 06h 34m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City in Cumberland County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cairo and Joliet.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cairo and Joliet.
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1
Start on Washington Avenue
94 m · 9 sec · Washington Avenue
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2
Continue on Sycamore Street
3 mi · 6 min · Sycamore Street
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3
Take the exit right toward I-57 North, US 51 North: Mount Vernon
2522 ft · 1 min
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4
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
93.9 mi · 1 hr 41 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
154.9 mi · 2 hr 46 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Bourbonnais Parkway
2050 ft · 42 sec
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8
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
3273 ft · 1 min · Bourbonnais Parkway
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9
Turn right
10.1 mi · 14 min
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10
Turn left onto West Joliet Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Joliet Road
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11
Continue on West Arsenal Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · West Arsenal Road
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12
Continue on West Joliet Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · West Joliet Road
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13
Continue on US Route 52
1.2 mi · 2 min · US Route 52
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14
Continue on South State Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · South State Street
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15
Continue on West North Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · West North Street
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16
Continue on Manhattan Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road
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17
Turn left onto Manhattan Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road
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18
Continue on Gardner Street
1482 ft · 43 sec · Gardner Street
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19
Turn left onto Doris Avenue
686 ft · 16 sec · Doris Avenue
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20
Turn right onto South Chicago Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Chicago Street
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Chicago Street
83 m · 13 sec · Chicago Street
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22
Turn left onto West Washington Street
771 ft · 25 sec · West Washington Street
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23
Turn right onto Joliet Street
158 m · 18 sec · Joliet Street
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24
Turn right
83 m · 20 sec
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cairo and Joliet.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
155 mi · 02h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Cairo and Sunny near Joliet.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cairo to Joliet?
The road trip is about 349.9 miles (563.1 km) and usually takes 06h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Neoga is a useful midpoint, sitting about 175.1 miles from Cairo and 174.8 miles from Joliet.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 317.7 miles (511.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.2 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.57 one way or $93.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cairo and Sunny near Joliet.
Stop Ideas Near Neoga
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 Neoga.
Mattoon station
Effingham
Illinois Terminal
Centralia station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cairo and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 317.71 mi (511.31 km).
#1 Cairo
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,989 |
| Coordinates | 37.0053300, -89.1764600 |
| Altitude | 95 |
| 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: Joliet (-88.0834, 41.52519)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 563 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $46.57 | $93.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $52.52 | $105.05 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $57.48 | $114.95 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $65.50 | $131.01 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.