How far is Empire, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance from Empire, IL to Joliet, IL is about 110.9 miles (178.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 90.3 miles (145.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 37m 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 01h 48m.
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 Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Empire and Joliet.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Empire and Joliet.
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1
Start on East 150 North Road
1.1 mi · 4 min · East 150 North Road
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2
Turn left onto East 200 North Road
784 ft · 13 sec · East 200 North Road
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3
Take the ramp right toward I 74 West: Bloomington
2041 ft · 50 sec
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4
Merge slight left
9.1 mi · 10 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward Downs
1174 ft · 25 sec
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6
Turn right onto East 700 North Road
140 m · 11 sec · East 700 North Road
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7
Continue on South Seminary Street
1 km · 2 min · South Seminary Street
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8
At the end of the road, turn left
2 mi · 3 min
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9
Turn right onto Towanda Barnes Road
6.8 mi · 11 min · Towanda Barnes Road
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10
Continue on Towanda-Barnes Road
3 mi · 5 min · Towanda-Barnes Road
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11
Continue on West Hely Street
1225 ft · 40 sec · West Hely Street
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12
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
2706 ft · 1 min · South Jefferson Street
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13
Continue on North 1900 East Road
709 ft · 15 sec · North 1900 East Road
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14
Take the ramp right toward I 55 North: Joliet
1857 ft · 45 sec
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15
Merge slight left
78.6 mi · 1 hr 25 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Indiana
1.2 km · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left
5.1 mi · 6 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Center Street
1.3 km · 2 min
-
19
Continue on South Center Street
1401 ft · 38 sec · South Center Street
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20
Continue on Hickory Street
1164 ft · 36 sec · Hickory Street
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21
Turn right onto West Jefferson Street
1572 ft · 52 sec · West Jefferson Street
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22
Turn left onto Joliet Street
53 m · 7 sec · Joliet Street
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23
Turn right
83 m · 20 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Empire 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 55 North
Merge slight left
78.6 mi · 01h 25m
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny leaving Empire and Sunny near Joliet.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Empire to Joliet?
The road trip is about 110.9 miles (178.4 km) and usually takes 01h 48m 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?
Rooks Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55.4 miles from Empire and 55.5 miles from Joliet.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 90.3 miles (145.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.6 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 2:52 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.74 one way or $29.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny around Empire and Sunny near Joliet.
Stop Ideas Near Rooks Creek
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 Rooks Creek.
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Uptown Station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Empire and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 90.35 mi (145.4 km).
#1 Empire
Township in McLean County, Illinois
| Population | 4,024 |
| Coordinates | 40.3055900, -88.7075700 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| 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: 178 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $14.74 | $29.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $16.63 | $33.26 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $18.20 | $36.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $20.74 | $41.48 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.