How far is Crystal Lake, IL from Joliet, IL?

The driving distance from Crystal Lake, IL to Joliet, IL is about 66.9 miles (107.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 50.9 miles (81.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
66.93 mi
01h 24m
Flight
50.9 mi
81.91 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Crystal Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
50.9 mi
Kilometers
81.91 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
66.93 mi
Kilometers
107.72 km
Drive Time
01h 24m

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 01h 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Joliet
Thu, May 14, 4:41 AM CDT
Return by in Crystal Lake
Thu, May 14, 6:06 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Crystal Lake
2026-05-14T03:17
Arrive Joliet
Thu, May 14, 4:41 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:25 AM to 11:25 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:40 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Crystal Lake
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Glendale Heights
IL

Town

From Crystal Lake
33.4 mi
00h 42m
To Joliet
33.5 mi
00h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph ESE
Destination
70°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Crystal Lake and Joliet.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Crystal Lake and Joliet.

  1. 1

    Start on East Crystal Lake Avenue

    8 m · 5 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    1.7 mi · 4 min · South Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Pyott Road

    3 mi · 5 min · Pyott Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto West Algonquin Road

    7.8 mi · 13 min · West Algonquin Road

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto Dundee Road

    1483 ft · 30 sec · Dundee Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Algonquin Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Algonquin Road

  7. 7

    Turn right onto North Barrington Road

    2.1 mi · 4 min · North Barrington Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp left

    2915 ft · 38 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    4.5 mi · 5 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs

    2618 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs

    1686 ft · 41 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    5.7 mi · 7 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 355 South Tollway: Joliet

    31.4 mi · 37 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Southwest Highway

    2125 ft · 52 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Maple Road

    5.7 mi · 11 min · Maple Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto North Ottawa Street

    2196 ft · 1 min · North Ottawa Street

  18. 18

    Turn right

    34 m · 8 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Crystal Lake and Joliet.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 355 South Tollway
31.4 mi · 47%
West Algonquin Road
7.78 mi · 12%
I 290 East
6.25 mi · 9%
Maple Road
5.7 mi · 9%
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
4.53 mi · 7%
Pyott Road
3 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I 355 South Tollway

Keep slight left to continue on I 355 South Tollway: Joliet

31.4 mi · 00h 37m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 24m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16 mi
50.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Glendale Heights
00h 42m from Crystal Lake
Leave By
3:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Crystal Lake and Sunny near Joliet.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Crystal Lake to Joliet?

The road trip is about 66.9 miles (107.7 km) and usually takes 01h 24m 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?

Glendale Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 33.4 miles from Crystal Lake and 33.5 miles from Joliet.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 50.9 miles (81.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 16 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 3:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.90 one way or $17.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Crystal Lake and Sunny near Joliet.

Stop Ideas Near Glendale Heights

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Glendale Heights, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Glendale Heights.

RAIL

Naperville

16 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

La Grange Road

20 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

25 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.
RAIL

Glenview station

28 mi away
1116 Depot St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Crystal Lake and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 50.9 mi (81.91 km).

Crystal Lake

#1 Crystal Lake

City located in McHenry County, Illinois, USA

Population39,642
Coordinates42.2411300, -88.3162000
Altitude279
CountryUnited States
Joliet

#2 Joliet

The second most populous city in Will County, Illinois.

Population85,583
Coordinates41.5251900, -88.0834000
Altitude165
CountryUnited States
Start: East Crystal Lake Avenue (-88.316198, 42.241185)
End: (-88.083409, 41.525419)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 108 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.36 gal
8.94 L · about $8.90
Round trip
$17.80
4.72 gal · 17.88 L
Estimated CO2
21 kg one way
Round trip: 41.9 kg / 92 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $8.90 $17.80
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.04 $20.07
Premium $4.65 $10.98 $21.97
Diesel $5.30 $12.52 $25.03

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 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Crystal Lake and Joliet. The current time is 03:17:05.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.