How far is Carthage, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance from Carthage, IL to Joliet, IL is about 234.6 miles (377.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 176.7 miles (284.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 57m 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 04h 28m.
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.
Township in Henry County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carthage and Joliet.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage and Joliet.
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1
Start on North Madison Street
19 m · 7 sec · North Madison Street
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2
Turn left onto Buchanan Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Buchanan Street
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3
Continue on E County Road 1500
3055 ft · 52 sec · E County Road 1500
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4
Take the ramp slight left
26 m · 4 sec
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5
Turn left
1915 ft · 53 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
21.2 mi · 25 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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7
Take the exit slight right
1 km · 56 sec
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8
Turn right
3.4 mi · 7 min
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9
Turn left onto North Johnson Street
576 ft · 16 sec · North Johnson Street
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10
Turn slight right onto West Calhoun Street
848 ft · 30 sec · West Calhoun Street
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11
Turn left onto North Lafayette Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Lafayette Street
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12
Continue on East 1200th Street
1.2 mi · 1 min · East 1200th Street
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13
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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14
Continue on South Monmouth Street
1.2 km · 2 min · South Monmouth Street
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15
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
45.2 mi · 53 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
31.5 mi · 34 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Chicago
3164 ft · 49 sec
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18
Merge slight left
121.2 mi · 2 hr 11 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Center Street
1.3 km · 2 min
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20
Continue on South Center Street
1401 ft · 38 sec · South Center Street
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21
Continue on Hickory Street
1164 ft · 36 sec · Hickory Street
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22
Turn right onto West Jefferson Street
1572 ft · 52 sec · West Jefferson Street
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23
Turn left onto Joliet Street
53 m · 7 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 Carthage and Joliet.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 80 East
Merge slight left
121 mi · 02h 11m
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.
Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Carthage and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Joliet.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carthage to Joliet?
The road trip is about 234.6 miles (377.6 km) and usually takes 04h 28m 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?
Geneseo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.2 miles from Carthage and 117.4 miles from Joliet.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 176.7 miles (284.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.9 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 8:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.22 one way or $62.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms around Carthage and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Joliet.
Stop Ideas Near Geneseo
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 Geneseo.
Kewanee
Moline, Illinois
Rock Island, IL
Davenport, Iowa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carthage and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 176.72 mi (284.4 km).
#1 Carthage
City in and county seat of Hancock County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,419 |
| Coordinates | 40.4164300, -91.1362500 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| 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: 378 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.22 | $62.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.21 | $70.43 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.54 | $77.07 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $43.92 | $87.83 |
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 · May 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.