How far is Joliet, IL from Buena Vista, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Buena Vista, IL is about 317.2 miles (510.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 263 miles (423.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 05m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Buena Vista.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Buena Vista.
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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
1 mi · 3 min · Chicago Street
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5
Turn left onto Doris Avenue
686 ft · 15 sec · Doris Avenue
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6
Turn right onto Gardner Street
1482 ft · 36 sec · Gardner Street
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7
Continue on Manhattan Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road
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8
Continue on Manhattan Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road
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9
Continue on West North Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · West North Street
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10
Continue on South State Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · South State Street
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11
Continue on US Route 52
1.2 mi · 2 min · US Route 52
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12
Continue on South Cedar Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · South Cedar Road
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13
Continue on West Arsenal Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · West Arsenal Road
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14
Continue on West Joliet Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Joliet Road
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15
Turn right onto South La Grange Road
10.1 mi · 14 min · South La Grange Road
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16
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
2017 ft · 40 sec · Bourbonnais Parkway
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17
Take the ramp slight right toward I-57 South: Kankakee
2192 ft · 54 sec
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18
Merge slight left
160.5 mi · 2 hr 52 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
65.7 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
37.4 mi · 40 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
1758 ft · 43 sec
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22
Keep slight left to continue on IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
2421 ft · 59 sec
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23
Keep slight left
1102 ft · 29 sec
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24
Merge slight right onto West Deyoung Street
22.2 mi · 31 min · West Deyoung Street
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25
Turn left onto West Poplar Street
1.1 km · 2 min · West Poplar Street
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26
Turn left
50 m · 12 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Buena Vista.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I-57 South
Merge slight left
161 mi · 02h 52m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Joliet and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Buena Vista.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Buena Vista?
The road trip is about 317.2 miles (510.5 km) and usually takes 06h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mattoon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.7 miles from Joliet and 158.5 miles from Buena Vista.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 263 miles (423.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.2 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.20 one way or $84.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Joliet and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Buena Vista.
Stop Ideas Near Mattoon
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 Mattoon.
Mattoon station
Effingham
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Buena Vista. Straight-line distance: 262.95 mi (423.18 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 Buena Vista
Township in Schuyler County, Illinois
| Population | 1,684 |
| Coordinates | 37.7383800, -88.5761600 |
| Altitude | 122 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buena Vista (-88.57616, 37.73838)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 510 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $42.20 | $84.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $47.59 | $95.18 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $52.08 | $104.16 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $59.35 | $118.70 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.