How far is Carbondale, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance from Carbondale, IL to Joliet, IL is about 327.4 miles (526.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 269.2 miles (433.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 05h 13m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Village in Coles County, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carbondale and Joliet.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carbondale and Joliet.
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1
Start on East Main Street
539 ft · 21 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left onto South University Avenue
721 ft · 17 sec · South University Avenue
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3
Turn left onto West Walnut Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · West Walnut Street
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4
Continue on East Main Street
9.7 mi · 14 min · East Main Street
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5
Continue on West Deyoung Street
3.3 mi · 4 min · West Deyoung Street
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6
Take the exit slight left
1.2 mi · 3 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
41.3 mi · 45 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
154.9 mi · 2 hr 46 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Bourbonnais Parkway
2050 ft · 42 sec
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11
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
3273 ft · 1 min · Bourbonnais Parkway
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12
Turn right
10.1 mi · 14 min
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13
Turn left onto West Joliet Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Joliet Road
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14
Continue on West Arsenal Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · West Arsenal Road
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15
Continue on West Joliet Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · West Joliet Road
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16
Continue on US Route 52
1.2 mi · 2 min · US Route 52
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17
Continue on South State Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · South State Street
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18
Continue on West North Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · West North Street
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19
Continue on Manhattan Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road
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20
Turn left onto Manhattan Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road
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21
Continue on Gardner Street
1482 ft · 43 sec · Gardner Street
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22
Turn left onto Doris Avenue
686 ft · 16 sec · Doris Avenue
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23
Turn right onto South Chicago Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Chicago Street
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Chicago Street
83 m · 13 sec · Chicago Street
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25
Turn left onto West Washington Street
771 ft · 25 sec · West Washington Street
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26
Turn right onto Joliet Street
158 m · 18 sec · Joliet Street
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27
Turn right
83 m · 20 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carbondale 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.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Carbondale and Partly Sunny near Joliet.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carbondale to Joliet?
The road trip is about 327.4 miles (526.9 km) and usually takes 05h 13m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Humboldt is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.9 miles from Carbondale and 172.5 miles from Joliet.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 269.2 miles (433.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.2 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 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.56 one way or $87.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Carbondale and Partly Sunny near Joliet.
Stop Ideas Near Humboldt
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 Humboldt.
Mattoon station
Effingham
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carbondale and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 269.25 mi (433.31 km).
#1 Carbondale
City in Illinois, USA
| Population | 25,036 |
| Coordinates | 37.7272700, -89.2167500 |
| Altitude | 126 |
| 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: (-88.083409, 41.525419)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 527 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $43.56 | $87.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $49.12 | $98.24 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $53.75 | $107.51 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $61.26 | $122.52 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.