How far is Joliet, IL from Carbondale, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Carbondale, IL is about 308.6 miles (496.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 269.2 miles (433.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 45m 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 05h 52m.
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.
Village in Coles County, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Carbondale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Carbondale.
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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 right to continue on IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
913 ft · 22 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto West Deyoung Street
3.4 mi · 4 min · West Deyoung Street
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25
Continue on IL-13
11 mi · 17 min · IL-13
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Carbondale.
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.
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 Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carbondale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Carbondale?
The road trip is about 308.6 miles (496.7 km) and usually takes 05h 52m 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?
Humboldt is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.4 miles from Joliet and 154.2 miles from Carbondale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 269.2 miles (433.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.4 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 5:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.07 one way or $82.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Joliet and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carbondale.
Stop Ideas Near Humboldt
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 Humboldt.
Mattoon station
Effingham
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Carbondale. Straight-line distance: 269.25 mi (433.31 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 Carbondale
City in Illinois, USA
| Population | 25,036 |
| Coordinates | 37.7272700, -89.2167500 |
| Altitude | 126 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carbondale (-89.21675, 37.72727)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 497 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.07 | $82.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.32 | $92.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.68 | $101.36 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.76 | $115.52 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.