How far is Central City, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance from Central City, IL to Joliet, IL is about 245.4 miles (394.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 212.9 miles (342.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 24m 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 42m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Central City and Joliet.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central City and Joliet.
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1
Start on North Harrison Street
23 m · 9 sec · North Harrison Street
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2
Turn left onto East Hardin
677 ft · 32 sec · East Hardin
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3
Turn right onto North Broadway
1362 ft · 23 sec · North Broadway
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4
Continue on County Road 180 East
4.3 mi · 6 min · County Road 180 East
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5
Continue on South Mine Street
3231 ft · 54 sec · South Mine Street
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6
Continue on N Mine St
990 ft · 13 sec · N Mine St
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7
Continue on North Mine Street
106 m · 5 sec · North Mine Street
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8
Take the exit slight right
41 m · 4 sec
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9
Turn right
7.8 mi · 9 min
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10
Turn left
2149 ft · 54 sec
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11
Merge slight left
46.6 mi · 50 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
154.9 mi · 2 hr 46 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Bourbonnais Parkway
2050 ft · 42 sec
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14
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
3273 ft · 1 min · Bourbonnais Parkway
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15
Turn right
10.1 mi · 14 min
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16
Turn left onto West Joliet Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Joliet Road
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17
Continue on West Arsenal Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · West Arsenal Road
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18
Continue on West Joliet Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · West Joliet Road
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19
Continue on US Route 52
1.2 mi · 2 min · US Route 52
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20
Continue on South State Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · South State Street
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21
Continue on West North Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · West North Street
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22
Continue on Manhattan Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road
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23
Turn left onto Manhattan Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road
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24
Continue on Gardner Street
1482 ft · 41 sec · Gardner Street
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25
Turn left onto Doris Avenue
686 ft · 16 sec · Doris Avenue
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26
Turn right onto South Chicago Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Chicago Street
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27
Keep slight right to continue on Chicago Street
83 m · 13 sec · Chicago Street
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28
Turn left onto West Washington Street
771 ft · 25 sec · West Washington Street
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29
Turn right onto Joliet Street
158 m · 18 sec · Joliet Street
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30
Turn right
83 m · 20 sec
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Central City 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 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.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny leaving Central City and Mostly Sunny near Joliet.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Central City to Joliet?
The road trip is about 245.4 miles (394.9 km) and usually takes 04h 42m 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?
Tolono is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.8 miles from Central City and 122.7 miles from Joliet.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 212.9 miles (342.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.5 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 7:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.66 one way or $65.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny around Central City and Mostly Sunny near Joliet.
Stop Ideas Near Tolono
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 Tolono.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Mattoon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Central City and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 212.91 mi (342.65 km).
#1 Central City
City in Illinois, USA
| Population | 1,107 |
| Coordinates | 38.5489400, -89.1270100 |
| Altitude | 148 |
| 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: 395 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.66 | $65.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.83 | $73.66 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.30 | $80.61 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.93 | $91.87 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.