How far is Joliet, IL from Chester, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Chester, IL is about 304.2 miles (489.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 266.1 miles (428.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 44m 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 Illinois, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Chester.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Chester.
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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
2079 ft · 1 min · Chicago Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
1707 ft · 42 sec
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6
Merge slight left
6.4 mi · 8 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
1900 ft · 54 sec
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8
Merge slight left
93 mi · 1 hr 40 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
77.9 mi · 1 hr 24 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
1434 ft · 48 sec
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12
Continue on Vandalia Street
3 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street
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13
Continue on South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue
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14
Continue on North Illinois Street
9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Illinois Street
55 m · 5 sec · South Illinois Street
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16
Exit the rotary onto South Illinois Street
8.3 mi · 13 min · South Illinois Street
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17
Continue on State Route 159
6.1 mi · 9 min · State Route 159
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18
Continue on North Main Street
1163 ft · 20 sec · North Main Street
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19
Continue on N Main St
810 ft · 14 sec · N Main St
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20
Continue on Main Street
8 mi · 12 min · Main Street
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21
Continue straight
23.3 mi · 29 min
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22
Turn right onto State Street
118 m · 7 sec · State Street
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23
Turn right onto East Stacey Street
38 m · 6 sec · East Stacey Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Stacey Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Chester.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
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 Sunny near Chester.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Chester?
The road trip is about 304.2 miles (489.6 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?
Sherman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152.2 miles from Joliet and 152 miles from Chester.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 266.1 miles (428.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.1 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 5:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.46 one way or $80.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Joliet and Sunny near Chester.
Stop Ideas Near Sherman
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 Sherman.
Springfield station
Lincoln
Carlinville
Uptown Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Chester. Straight-line distance: 266.08 mi (428.21 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 Chester
City in Illinois
| Population | 8,145 |
| Coordinates | 37.9136600, -89.8220500 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chester (-89.82205, 37.91366)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 490 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.46 | $80.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.63 | $91.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.94 | $99.87 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $56.91 | $113.82 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.