How far is Joliet, IL from Carlinville, IL?

The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Carlinville, IL is about 208.4 miles (335.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 181.7 miles (292.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 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
208.41 mi
03h 59m
Flight
181.71 mi
292.44 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
181.71 mi
Kilometers
292.44 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
208.41 mi
Kilometers
335.4 km
Drive Time
03h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Carlinville
Sat, May 30, 10:37 AM CDT
Return by in Joliet
Sat, May 30, 2:36 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Joliet
2026-05-30T06:38
Arrive Carlinville
Sat, May 30, 10:37 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:59 AM to 11:59 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
9:02 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

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
Burns
IL

Township in Henry County, Illinois

From Joliet
104.2 mi
01h 59m
To Carlinville
104.2 mi
01h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph ENE
Destination
81°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
1 to 7 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    20.6 mi · 22 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Farmersville, Girard

    2315 ft · 57 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · Main Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Mine Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · Mine Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on Farmersville Road

    3.8 mi · 7 min · Farmersville Road

  15. 15

    Continue on East South Street

    2719 ft · 59 sec · East South Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto South 3rd Street

    9.5 mi · 14 min · South 3rd Street

  17. 17

    Continue on 14500 East

    4.9 mi · 7 min · 14500 East

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout toward South Side Square

    61 m · 3 sec · South Side Square

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Side Square

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
179 mi · 86%
South 3rd Street
9.45 mi · 5%
I 80 West
6.76 mi · 3%
14500 East
4.87 mi · 2%
Farmersville Road
3.77 mi · 2%
Mine Avenue
1.98 mi · 1%
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 59m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.7 mi
181.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Burns
01h 59m from Joliet
Leave By
9:02 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Joliet and Mostly Sunny near Carlinville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 208.4 miles (335.4 km) and usually takes 03h 59m 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?

Burns is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104.2 miles from Joliet and 104.2 miles from Carlinville.

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

The direct path is about 181.7 miles (292.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.7 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 9:02 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.72 one way or $55.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Burns

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 Burns and the surrounding midpoint area.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
Scenic stop 13.5 mi away

Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!

Atlanta , IL
865 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL 61723, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Tourist attraction
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Meeting point 5.5 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 5.5 mi away

Bloomington Finance Department

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
City tax office
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 7.6 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Uptown Station

12 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Lincoln

43 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Pontiac station

61 mi away
721 West Washington St.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

67 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Carlinville. Straight-line distance: 181.71 mi (292.44 km).

Joliet

#1 Joliet

The second most populous city in Will County, Illinois.

Population85,583
Coordinates41.5251900, -88.0834000
Altitude165
CountryUnited States
Carlinville

#2 Carlinville

City in Illinois

Population5,441
Coordinates39.2797700, -89.8817700
Altitude191
CountryUnited States
Start: Joliet (-88.0834, 41.52519)
End: Carlinville (-89.88177, 39.27977)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 335 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.35 gal
27.84 L · about $27.72
Round trip
$55.43
14.7 gal · 55.68 L
Estimated CO2
65.3 kg one way
Round trip: 130.6 kg / 288 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.72 $55.43
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.26 $62.52
Premium $4.65 $34.21 $68.41
Diesel $5.30 $38.98 $77.97

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 · May 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Joliet and Carlinville. The current time is 06:38:23.

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.