How far is Joliet, IL from Frankfort, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Frankfort, IL is about 286 miles (460.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 254.2 miles (409.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 47m 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 23m.
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.
Township in Douglas County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Frankfort.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Frankfort.
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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
27.1 mi · 29 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward IL 149: West Frankfort, Zeigler
1422 ft · 35 sec
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward West Main Street
1001 ft · 17 sec · West Main Street
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23
Exit the roundabout onto West Main Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
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24
Turn left onto North Benton Road
788 ft · 36 sec · North Benton Road
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25
Turn right onto East Saint Louis Street
30 m · 4 sec · East Saint Louis Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Saint Louis Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Frankfort.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Joliet and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Frankfort.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Frankfort?
The road trip is about 286 miles (460.2 km) and usually takes 05h 23m 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?
Arcola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143.1 miles from Joliet and 142.9 miles from Frankfort.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 254.2 miles (409.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.8 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 6:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.05 one way or $76.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Joliet and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Frankfort.
Stop Ideas Near Arcola
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 Arcola.
Mattoon station
Illinois Terminal
Effingham
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Frankfort. Straight-line distance: 254.22 mi (409.13 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 Frankfort
County seat city in Franklin County, Kentucky, USA and Kentucky federated state capital city
| Population | 19,411 |
| Coordinates | 37.9000500, -88.9022900 |
| Altitude | 145 |
| Country | United States |
End: Frankfort (-88.90229, 37.90005)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 460 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.05 | $76.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.91 | $85.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.96 | $93.92 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.52 | $107.03 |
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.