How far is Gardner, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance from Gardner, IL to Joliet, IL is about 31 miles (49.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.2 miles (42.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 38m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Town in Will County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gardner and Joliet.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gardner and Joliet.
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1
Start on South Grundy Street
34 m · 10 sec · South Grundy Street
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2
Turn left onto West Main Street
2177 ft · 1 min · West Main Street
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3
Continue straight
731 ft · 14 sec
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4
Take the ramp right toward I 55 North: Joliet
1823 ft · 44 sec
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5
Merge slight left
22.6 mi · 25 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Indiana
1.2 km · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
5.1 mi · 6 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Center Street
1.3 km · 2 min
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9
Continue on South Center Street
1401 ft · 38 sec · South Center Street
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10
Continue on Hickory Street
1164 ft · 36 sec · Hickory Street
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11
Turn right onto West Jefferson Street
1572 ft · 52 sec · West Jefferson Street
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12
Turn left onto Joliet Street
53 m · 7 sec · Joliet Street
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13
Turn right
83 m · 20 sec
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gardner and Joliet.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 55 North
Merge slight left
22.6 mi · 00h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Gardner and Showers And Thunderstorms near Joliet.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gardner to Joliet?
The road trip is about 31 miles (49.9 km) and usually takes 00h 38m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Wilmington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.5 miles from Gardner and 15.5 miles from Joliet.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.2 miles (42.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.11 one way or $8.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Gardner and Showers And Thunderstorms near Joliet.
Stop Ideas Near Wilmington
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 Wilmington.
Joliet Transportation Center
Kankakee
Dwight station
Homewood
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gardner and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 26.24 mi (42.23 km).
#1 Gardner
Village in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,377 |
| Coordinates | 41.1855900, -88.3097800 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| 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: Joliet (-88.0834, 41.52519)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 50 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.11 | $8.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.64 | $9.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.07 | $10.15 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.78 | $11.56 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.