How far is Joliet, IL from Bruce, IL?

The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Bruce, IL is about 174.1 miles (280.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 141.2 miles (227.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 13m 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
174.08 mi
03h 36m
Flight
141.19 mi
227.23 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
141.19 mi
Kilometers
227.23 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
174.08 mi
Kilometers
280.16 km
Drive Time
03h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bruce
Thu, Apr 23, 10:40 AM CDT
Return by in Joliet
Thu, Apr 23, 2:16 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Joliet
2026-04-23T07:03
Arrive Bruce
Thu, Apr 23, 10:40 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:37 AM to 11:37 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
9:46 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Paxton
IL

City in Ford County, Illinois

From Joliet
87.1 mi
01h 48m
To Bruce
87 mi
01h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
78°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1 mi · 3 min · Chicago Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Doris Avenue

    686 ft · 15 sec · Doris Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Gardner Street

    1482 ft · 36 sec · Gardner Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Manhattan Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Manhattan Road

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road

  9. 9

    Continue on West North Street

    2.3 mi · 4 min · West North Street

  10. 10

    Continue on South State Street

    1.9 mi · 3 min · South State Street

  11. 11

    Continue on US Route 52

    1.2 mi · 2 min · US Route 52

  12. 12

    Continue on South Cedar Road

    3.1 mi · 5 min · South Cedar Road

  13. 13

    Continue on West Arsenal Road

    1.9 mi · 3 min · West Arsenal Road

  14. 14

    Continue on West Joliet Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · West Joliet Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto South La Grange Road

    10.1 mi · 14 min · South La Grange Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway

    2017 ft · 40 sec · Bourbonnais Parkway

  17. 17

    Take the ramp slight right toward I-57 South: Kankakee

    2192 ft · 54 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    128.3 mi · 2 hr 17 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 16 West: Mattoon

    2489 ft · 1 min

  20. 20

    Turn straight onto Charleston Avenue East

    2.8 mi · 6 min · Charleston Avenue East

  21. 21

    Turn right onto South 19th Street

    2731 ft · 60 sec · South 19th Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Dewitt Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · Dewitt Avenue

  23. 23

    Continue on Route 121

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Route 121

  24. 24

    Turn left onto 1000N

    156 m · 14 sec · 1000N

  25. 25

    Continue on County Highway 4

    6.6 mi · 16 min · County Highway 4

  26. 26

    Turn left

    691 ft · 30 sec

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
27 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-57 South
129 mi · 74%
South La Grange Road
10.1 mi · 6%
County Highway 4
6.59 mi · 4%
Manhattan Road
5.28 mi · 3%
Route 121
3.53 mi · 2%
South Cedar Road
3.06 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I-57 South

Merge slight left

128 mi · 02h 17m

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 36m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.9 mi
141.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Paxton
01h 48m from Joliet
Leave By
9:46 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Joliet and Sunny near Bruce.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 174.1 miles (280.2 km) and usually takes 03h 36m 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?

Paxton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.1 miles from Joliet and 87 miles from Bruce.

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

The direct path is about 141.2 miles (227.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.9 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 9:46 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.15 one way or $46.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Joliet and Sunny near Bruce.

Stop Ideas Near Paxton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Paxton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Rantoul

18 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
RAIL

Gilman

35 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Illinois Terminal

40 mi away
45 East University Ave.
BUS

Danville, Illinois

54 mi away
379 Lynch Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Bruce. Straight-line distance: 141.19 mi (227.23 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 Bruce

Unincorporated community in Illinois

Population12,209
Coordinates39.5189200, -88.5945000
Altitude195
CountryUnited States
Start: Joliet (-88.0834, 41.52519)
End: Bruce (-88.5945, 39.51892)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 280 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.14 gal
23.25 L · about $23.15
Round trip
$46.31
12.28 gal · 46.5 L
Estimated CO2
54.6 kg one way
Round trip: 109.1 kg / 241 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.15 $46.31
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.11 $52.23
Premium $4.65 $28.58 $57.15
Diesel $5.30 $32.57 $65.13

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

There is no time difference between Joliet and Bruce. The current time is 07:03:53.

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.