How far is Joliet, IL from Central City, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Central City, IL is about 244.8 miles (394 km), with a travel time of about 04h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 212.9 miles (342.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 22m 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 04h 41m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Central City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Central City.
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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
40.9 mi · 44 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
2330 ft · 57 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on US 50: Salem, Sandoval
25 m · 2 sec
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22
Turn right onto West Main Street
2.2 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
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23
Continue on East Poplar Street
2.7 mi · 3 min · East Poplar Street
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24
Continue on Poplar
2.7 mi · 3 min · Poplar
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25
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Mine Street
135 m · 6 sec · North Mine Street
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26
Continue on N Mine St
990 ft · 13 sec · N Mine St
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27
Continue on North Mine Street
3231 ft · 54 sec · North Mine Street
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28
Continue on County Road 180 E
4.4 mi · 6 min · County Road 180 E
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29
Continue on North Commercial Street
988 ft · 23 sec · North Commercial Street
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30
Turn left onto Hardin Street
82 m · 12 sec · Hardin Street
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31
Continue on East Hardin
677 ft · 32 sec · East Hardin
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32
Turn right onto North Harrison Street
23 m · 3 sec · North Harrison Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Harrison Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Central City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Joliet and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Central City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Central City?
The road trip is about 244.8 miles (394 km) and usually takes 04h 41m 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?
Tolono is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.5 miles from Joliet and 122.3 miles from Central City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 212.9 miles (342.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.9 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 7:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.58 one way or $65.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Joliet and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Central City.
Stop Ideas Near Tolono
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 Tolono.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Mattoon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Central City. Straight-line distance: 212.91 mi (342.65 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 Central City
City in Illinois, USA
| Population | 1,107 |
| Coordinates | 38.5489400, -89.1270100 |
| Altitude | 148 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central City (-89.12701, 38.54894)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 394 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.58 | $65.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.75 | $73.49 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.21 | $80.42 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.83 | $91.65 |
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.