How far is East Saint Louis, IL from Joliet, IL?

The driving distance from East Saint Louis, IL to Joliet, IL is about 255.6 miles (411.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 228.3 miles (367.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
255.61 mi
03h 56m
Flight
228.27 mi
367.37 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from East Saint Louis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
228.27 mi
Kilometers
367.37 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
255.61 mi
Kilometers
411.37 km
Drive Time
03h 56m

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 03h 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Joliet
Sun, Apr 19, 5:02 AM CDT
Return by in East Saint Louis
Sun, Apr 19, 8:58 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave East Saint Louis
2026-04-19T01:06
Arrive Joliet
Sun, Apr 19, 5:02 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:56 AM to 11:56 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:08 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in East Saint Louis
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Lincoln
IL

City in Illinois, United States

From East Saint Louis
127.7 mi
01h 58m
To Joliet
127.9 mi
01h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph NW
Destination
53°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between East Saint Louis and Joliet.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Saint Louis and Joliet.

  1. 1

    Start on North 10th Street

    2308 ft · 53 sec · North 10th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue

    110 m · 10 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North 9th Street

    739 ft · 16 sec · North 9th Street

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North 9th Street

    32 m · 2 sec · North 9th Street

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto North 9th Street

    593 ft · 11 sec · North 9th Street

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward I 55 North, I 70 East

    68 m · 4 sec

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto I 55 North, I 70 East

    1419 ft · 35 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    15.6 mi · 18 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

    107.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago

    29.4 mi · 31 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

    93.9 mi · 1 hr 41 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Indiana

    1.2 km · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    5.1 mi · 6 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Center Street

    1.3 km · 2 min

  15. 15

    Continue on South Center Street

    1401 ft · 38 sec · South Center Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Hickory Street

    1164 ft · 36 sec · Hickory Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Jefferson Street

    1572 ft · 52 sec · West Jefferson Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Joliet Street

    53 m · 7 sec · Joliet Street

  19. 19

    Turn right

    83 m · 20 sec

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between East Saint Louis 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
20 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
247 mi · 97%
I 80 East
5.8 mi · 2%
Center Street
0.8 mi
North 10th Street
0.44 mi
West Jefferson Street
0.3 mi
North 9th Street
0.27 mi
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

108 mi · 01h 57m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 56m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.3 mi
228.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lincoln
01h 58m from East Saint Louis
Leave By
9:08 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving East Saint Louis 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 East Saint Louis to Joliet?

The road trip is about 255.6 miles (411.4 km) and usually takes 03h 56m 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?

Lincoln is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.7 miles from East Saint Louis and 127.9 miles from Joliet.

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

The direct path is about 228.3 miles (367.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:08 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.01 one way or $68.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around East Saint Louis and Mostly Sunny near Joliet.

Stop Ideas Near Lincoln

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Lincoln and the surrounding midpoint area.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
Scenic stop 9.5 mi away

Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!

Atlanta , IL
865 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL 61723, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Tourist attraction
City of Lincoln
Meeting point 2.5 mi away

City of Lincoln

Lincoln , IL
700 Broadway St, Lincoln, IL 62656
Rating 3.8/5 4 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lincoln.

RAIL

Lincoln

Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Springfield station

46 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.
RAIL

Uptown Station

51 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

64 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between East Saint Louis and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 228.27 mi (367.37 km).

East Saint Louis

#1 East Saint Louis

City in St.

Population25,776
Coordinates38.6245000, -90.1509400
Altitude127
CountryUnited States
Joliet

#2 Joliet

The second most populous city in Will County, Illinois.

Population85,583
Coordinates41.5251900, -88.0834000
Altitude165
CountryUnited States
Start: North 10th Street (-90.150922, 38.624485)
End: (-88.083409, 41.525419)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 411 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.02 gal
34.14 L · about $34.01
Round trip
$68.03
18.04 gal · 68.28 L
Estimated CO2
80.2 kg one way
Round trip: 160.3 kg / 353 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $34.01 $68.03
Mid-grade $4.25 $38.36 $76.72
Premium $4.65 $41.98 $83.96
Diesel $5.30 $47.84 $95.68

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

There is no time difference between East Saint Louis and Joliet. The current time is 01:06:33.

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.