How far is Joliet, IL from Alton, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Alton, IL is about 248.7 miles (400.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 213.1 miles (343 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 25m 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 04h 42m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Alton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Alton.
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1
Start on the route
34 m · 10 sec
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2
Turn right onto Ottawa Street
1397 ft · 44 sec · Ottawa Street
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3
Continue on Ottawa Street
758 ft · 22 sec · Ottawa Street
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4
Continue on Chicago Street
2079 ft · 1 min · Chicago Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
1707 ft · 42 sec
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6
Merge slight left
6.4 mi · 8 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
1900 ft · 54 sec
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8
Merge slight left
93 mi · 1 hr 40 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
62.6 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville
1756 ft · 43 sec
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12
Turn right onto East State Street
1 km · 1 min · East State Street
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13
Continue on State Route 140
9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140
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14
Continue on East Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi · 4 min · East Bethalto Drive
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15
Continue on East MacArthur Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · East MacArthur Drive
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16
Continue on West Macarthur Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Macarthur Drive
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17
Continue on College Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · College Avenue
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward College Avenue
121 m · 8 sec · College Avenue
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19
Exit the roundabout onto College Avenue
1355 ft · 27 sec · College Avenue
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20
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Drive
1.5 km · 1 min · Martin Luther King Drive
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21
Continue on Piasa Street
1877 ft · 37 sec · Piasa Street
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22
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
662 ft · 31 sec · West 3rd Street
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23
Turn right onto Alby Street
36 m · 5 sec · Alby Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Alby Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Alton.
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 South
Merge slight left
93 mi · 01h 40m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Joliet and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Alton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Alton?
The road trip is about 248.7 miles (400.3 km) and usually takes 04h 42m 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?
Lawndale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.3 miles from Joliet and 124.3 miles from Alton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 213.1 miles (343 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.11 one way or $66.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Joliet and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Alton.
Stop Ideas Near Lawndale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Lincoln
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lawndale.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Springfield station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Alton. Straight-line distance: 213.11 mi (342.97 km).
#1 Joliet
The second most populous city in Will County, Illinois.
| Population | 85,583 |
| Coordinates | 41.5251900, -88.0834000 |
| Altitude | 165 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alton
City in Madison County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 26,049 |
| Coordinates | 38.8906000, -90.1842800 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
End: Alton (-90.18428, 38.8906)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 400 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.11 | $66.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.34 | $74.68 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.86 | $81.72 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.57 | $93.14 |
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.