How far is Galena, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance from Galena, IL to Joliet, IL is about 180.2 miles (290 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.3 miles (217.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 22m 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 03h 11m.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Galena and Joliet.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Galena and Joliet.
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1
Start on South Bench Street
2297 ft · 2 min · South Bench Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Bench Street
32 m · 11 sec · South Bench Street
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3
Turn left onto Decatur Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Decatur Street
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4
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
12.8 mi · 18 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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5
Continue on Madison Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Madison Street
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6
Continue on West Diagonal Street
639 ft · 21 sec · West Diagonal Street
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7
Continue on North Main Street
2099 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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8
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.6 mi · 6 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on East Woodbine Street
2853 ft · 1 min · East Woodbine Street
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10
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
6.4 mi · 9 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on West North Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · West North Avenue
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12
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
33.2 mi · 42 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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13
Continue on West State Road
9.8 mi · 11 min · West State Road
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14
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
11.3 mi · 13 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right
1.2 km · 2 min
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16
Merge slight right
21.5 mi · 23 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East Toll: Chicago
2318 ft · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
38 mi · 41 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward IL 31 East, IL 56 East
2953 ft · 1 min
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20
Turn right onto South Lincolnway Street
1904 ft · 56 sec · South Lincolnway Street
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21
Turn left onto Sullivan Road
1956 ft · 56 sec · Sullivan Road
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22
Turn right
2.3 mi · 5 min
-
23
Turn left onto East New York Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East New York Street
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24
Turn slight right
53 m · 8 sec
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25
Turn slight right onto North Ohio Street
608 ft · 17 sec · North Ohio Street
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26
Turn left onto East Galena Boulevard
612 ft · 18 sec · East Galena Boulevard
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27
Continue on Hill Avenue
2.5 mi · 5 min · Hill Avenue
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28
Turn straight onto Lincoln Highway
7.4 mi · 11 min · Lincoln Highway
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29
Turn left onto 143rd Street
1.6 km · 2 min · 143rd Street
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30
Turn right onto North Division Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Division Street
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31
Turn left onto North Joliet Road
2.5 mi · 5 min · North Joliet Road
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32
Continue on Plainfield Road
5.2 mi · 11 min · Plainfield Road
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33
Continue on North Center Street
2358 ft · 1 min · North Center Street
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34
Turn left onto West Jefferson Street
1945 ft · 1 min · West Jefferson Street
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35
Turn left onto Joliet Street
53 m · 7 sec · Joliet Street
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36
Turn right
83 m · 20 sec
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Galena 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.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
38 mi · 00h 41m
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.
Sunny leaving Galena and Sunny near Joliet.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Galena to Joliet?
The road trip is about 180.2 miles (290 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?
New Milford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.7 miles from Galena and 95.5 miles from Joliet.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.3 miles (217.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.9 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 10:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.98 one way or $47.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Galena and Sunny near Joliet.
Stop Ideas Near New Milford
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 New Milford.
Rockford, Illinois
South Beloit, Illinois
Janesville, Wisconsin
Mendota station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Galena and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 135.32 mi (217.77 km).
#1 Galena
County seat of Jo Daviess County, Illinois
| Population | 3,151 |
| Coordinates | 42.4166700, -90.4290200 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| 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: 290 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.98 | $47.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.05 | $54.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.60 | $59.20 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.73 | $67.47 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.