How far is Joliet, IL from Ashland, IL?

The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Ashland, IL is about 180.2 miles (290 km), with a travel time of about 03h 29m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 151.5 miles (243.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 58m 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
180.21 mi
03h 29m
Flight
151.52 mi
243.84 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Joliet.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
151.52 mi
Kilometers
243.84 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
180.21 mi
Kilometers
290.02 km
Drive Time
03h 29m

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 29m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ashland
Sat, Apr 18, 4:18 AM CDT
Return by in Joliet
Sat, Apr 18, 7:48 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Joliet
2026-04-18T00:49
Arrive Ashland
Sat, Apr 18, 4:18 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 29m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:29 AM to 11:29 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
10:02 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Joliet
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
Towanda
IL

Township in McLean County, Illinois

From Joliet
90.1 mi
01h 44m
To Ashland
90.2 mi
01h 44m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph SW
Destination
64°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 20 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Ashland.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Ashland.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    34 m · 10 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Ottawa Street

    1397 ft · 44 sec · Ottawa Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Ottawa Street

    758 ft · 22 sec · Ottawa Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Chicago Street

    2079 ft · 1 min · Chicago Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island

    1707 ft · 42 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    6.4 mi · 8 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

    1900 ft · 54 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    93 mi · 1 hr 40 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

    52.4 mi · 56 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Sherman

    2842 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Sherman

    97 m · 8 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto South Sherman Boulevard

    4.6 mi · 7 min · South Sherman Boulevard

  13. 13

    Continue on Veterans Parkway

    4.1 mi · 6 min · Veterans Parkway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right

    145 m · 15 sec

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto West Jefferson Street

    5 mi · 7 min · West Jefferson Street

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    11.9 mi · 18 min

  17. 17

    Continue on East Fremont Street

    574 ft · 17 sec · East Fremont Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North Athens Street

    1279 ft · 45 sec · North Athens Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto East Washington Street

    1432 ft · 33 sec · East Washington Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Washington Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Ashland.

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
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
146 mi · 81%
West Jefferson Street
16.9 mi · 9%
I 80 West
6.76 mi · 4%
South Sherman Boulevard
4.61 mi · 3%
Veterans Parkway
4.23 mi · 2%
Sherman
0.6 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

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 29m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.7 mi
151.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Towanda
01h 44m from Joliet
Leave By
10:02 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Joliet and Showers And Thunderstorms near Ashland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Ashland?

The road trip is about 180.2 miles (290 km) and usually takes 03h 29m 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?

Towanda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.1 miles from Joliet and 90.2 miles from Ashland.

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

The direct path is about 151.5 miles (243.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.7 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 10:02 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 Showers And Thunderstorms around Joliet and Showers And Thunderstorms near Ashland.

Stop Ideas Near Towanda

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 Towanda and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 3.4 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Meeting point 5.4 mi away

City of Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Rating 3.6/5 8 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 5.4 mi away

Bloomington Finance Department

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
City tax office

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Uptown Station

9 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

41 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Lincoln

61 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

68 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Ashland. Straight-line distance: 151.52 mi (243.84 km).

Joliet

#1 Joliet

The second most populous city in Will County, Illinois.

Population85,583
Coordinates41.5251900, -88.0834000
Altitude165
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Ashland

Village in Cass County, Illinois

Population1,169
Coordinates39.8878300, -90.0078900
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Start: Joliet (-88.0834, 41.52519)
End: Ashland (-90.00789, 39.88783)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 290 km by road

SpeedTime
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.

One-way fuel
6.36 gal
24.07 L · about $23.98
Round trip
$47.97
12.72 gal · 48.14 L
Estimated CO2
56.5 kg one way
Round trip: 113 kg / 249 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound 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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Joliet and Ashland. The current time is 00:49:31.

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.