How far is Joliet, IL from East Saint Louis, IL?

The driving distance from Joliet, IL to East Saint Louis, IL is about 256.6 miles (413 km), with a travel time of about 04h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 228.3 miles (367.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 26m 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
256.65 mi
04h 43m
Flight
228.27 mi
367.37 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
228.27 mi
Kilometers
367.37 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
256.65 mi
Kilometers
413.04 km
Drive Time
04h 43m

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 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in East Saint Louis
Sun, Apr 19, 7:29 AM CDT
Return by in Joliet
Sun, Apr 19, 12:12 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Joliet
2026-04-19T02:46
Arrive East Saint Louis
Sun, Apr 19, 7:29 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:43 AM to 12:43 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:34 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

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.

Mid-route stop
Lincoln
IL

City in Illinois, United States

From Joliet
128.4 mi
02h 21m
To East Saint Louis
128.3 mi
02h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph WNW
Destination
63°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and East Saint Louis.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and East Saint Louis.

  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

    89.3 mi · 1 hr 37 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 70 West: Kansas City

    76 m · 6 sec

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Exchange Avenue

    1104 ft · 33 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Exchange Avenue

    1024 ft · 30 sec · Exchange Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto North 9th Street

    802 ft · 15 sec · North 9th Street

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North 9th Street

    36 m · 2 sec · North 9th Street

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout onto North 9th Street

    594 ft · 11 sec · North 9th Street

  17. 17

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North 9th Street

    39 m · 2 sec · North 9th Street

  18. 18

    Exit the roundabout onto North 9th Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · North 9th Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Saint Louis Avenue

    112 m · 16 sec · Saint Louis Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto North 10th Street

    585 ft · 10 sec · North 10th Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North 10th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and East Saint Louis.

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
21 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
2 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
247 mi · 96%
I 80 West
6.76 mi · 3%
North 9th Street
1 mi
Ottawa Street
0.41 mi
Exchange Avenue
0.4 mi
Chicago Street
0.39 mi
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
04h 43m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.3 mi
228.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lincoln
02h 21m from Joliet
Leave By
7:34 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Joliet and Sunny near East Saint Louis.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Joliet to East Saint Louis?

The road trip is about 256.6 miles (413 km) and usually takes 04h 43m 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?

Lincoln is a useful midpoint, sitting about 128.4 miles from Joliet and 128.3 miles from East Saint Louis.

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

The direct path is about 228.3 miles (367.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.3 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 7:34 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.17 one way or $68.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Joliet and Sunny near East Saint Louis.

Stop Ideas Near Lincoln

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 Lincoln and the surrounding midpoint area.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
Scenic stop 9.4 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 Lincoln
Meeting point 2.5 mi away

City of Lincoln

Lincoln , IL
700 Broadway St, Lincoln, IL 62656
Rating 3.8/5 4 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Lincoln

Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Springfield station

46 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.
RAIL

Uptown Station

51 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

64 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and East Saint Louis. Straight-line distance: 228.27 mi (367.37 km).

Joliet

#1 Joliet

The second most populous city in Will County, Illinois.

Population85,583
Coordinates41.5251900, -88.0834000
Altitude165
CountryUnited States
East Saint Louis

#2 East Saint Louis

City in St.

Population25,776
Coordinates38.6245000, -90.1509400
Altitude127
CountryUnited States
Start: Joliet (-88.0834, 41.52519)
End: East Saint Louis (-90.15094, 38.6245)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 413 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.06 gal
34.28 L · about $34.17
Round trip
$68.33
18.12 gal · 68.56 L
Estimated CO2
80.5 kg one way
Round trip: 161 kg / 355 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $34.17 $68.33
Mid-grade $4.25 $38.53 $77.06
Premium $4.65 $42.17 $84.33
Diesel $5.30 $48.05 $96.11

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

There is no time difference between Joliet and East Saint Louis. The current time is 02:46:08.

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.