How far is Charleston, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance from Charleston, IL to Joliet, IL is about 168.6 miles (271.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 140.3 miles (225.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 50m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Iroquois County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charleston and Joliet.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Joliet.
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1
Start on Madison Avenue
146 m · 20 sec · Madison Avenue
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2
Turn left onto 4th Street
1.3 km · 2 min · 4th Street
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3
Turn right onto Lincoln Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · Lincoln Avenue
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4
Continue on Illinois Route 16
5.3 mi · 7 min · Illinois Route 16
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5
Continue on Charleston Avenue East
2035 ft · 39 sec · Charleston Avenue East
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I-57 North: Champaign
2575 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
128.3 mi · 2 hr 18 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Bourbonnais Parkway
2050 ft · 42 sec
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9
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
3273 ft · 1 min · Bourbonnais Parkway
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10
Turn right
10.1 mi · 14 min
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11
Turn left onto West Joliet Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Joliet Road
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12
Continue on West Arsenal Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · West Arsenal Road
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13
Continue on West Joliet Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · West Joliet Road
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14
Continue on US Route 52
1.2 mi · 2 min · US Route 52
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15
Continue on South State Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · South State Street
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16
Continue on West North Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · West North Street
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17
Continue on Manhattan Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road
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18
Turn left onto Manhattan Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road
-
19
Continue on Gardner Street
1482 ft · 43 sec · Gardner Street
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20
Turn left onto Doris Avenue
686 ft · 16 sec · Doris Avenue
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21
Turn right onto South Chicago Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Chicago Street
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Chicago Street
83 m · 13 sec · Chicago Street
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23
Turn left onto West Washington Street
771 ft · 25 sec · West Washington Street
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24
Turn right onto Joliet Street
158 m · 18 sec · Joliet Street
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25
Turn right
83 m · 20 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston 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
Merge slight left
128 mi · 02h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Partly Cloudy leaving Charleston and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Joliet.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charleston to Joliet?
The road trip is about 168.6 miles (271.4 km) and usually takes 02h 50m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Loda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.6 miles from Charleston and 85 miles from Joliet.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140.3 miles (225.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.44 one way or $44.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Charleston and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Joliet.
Stop Ideas Near Loda
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 Loda.
Rantoul
Gilman
Illinois Terminal
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charleston and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 140.28 mi (225.76 km).
#1 Charleston
City in Illinois
| Population | 20,034 |
| Coordinates | 39.4961500, -88.1761500 |
| 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: (-88.083409, 41.525419)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 271 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.44 | $44.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.31 | $50.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.69 | $55.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.56 | $63.12 |
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 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.