How far is Joliet, IL from Grafton, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Grafton, IL is about 262.2 miles (421.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 215.6 miles (347 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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 00m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Grafton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Grafton.
-
1
Start on the route
34 m · 10 sec
-
2
Turn right onto Ottawa Street
1397 ft · 44 sec · Ottawa Street
-
3
Continue on Ottawa Street
758 ft · 22 sec · Ottawa Street
-
4
Continue on Chicago Street
2079 ft · 1 min · Chicago Street
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
1707 ft · 42 sec
-
6
Merge slight left
6.4 mi · 8 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
1900 ft · 54 sec
-
8
Merge slight left
93 mi · 1 hr 40 min
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
37.2 mi · 40 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 67 South: Alton
1828 ft · 45 sec
-
12
Merge slight left onto United States Route 67
12.3 mi · 14 min · United States Route 67
-
13
Continue on 1440 E
2.3 mi · 3 min · 1440 E
-
14
Continue on North State Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · North State Street
-
15
Continue on South State Avenue
2.4 mi · 3 min · South State Avenue
-
16
Continue on North Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
-
17
Continue on United States Route 67
8.1 mi · 9 min · United States Route 67
-
18
Continue on North 5th Street
14.5 mi · 17 min · North 5th Street
-
19
Turn right onto McClusky Road
8.2 mi · 14 min · McClusky Road
-
20
Turn right
8 mi · 14 min
-
21
Turn left onto East Main Street
1062 ft · 24 sec · East Main Street
-
22
Turn left onto Oak Street
26 m · 4 sec · Oak Street
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Oak Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Grafton.
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 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.
Sunny leaving Joliet and Mostly Sunny near Grafton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Grafton?
The road trip is about 262.2 miles (421.9 km) and usually takes 05h 00m 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 131 miles from Joliet and 131.1 miles from Grafton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 215.6 miles (347 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.6 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:58 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.61 one way or $85.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Joliet and Mostly Sunny near Grafton.
Stop Ideas Near Lincoln
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Lincoln
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lincoln.
Lincoln
Springfield station
Uptown Station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Grafton. Straight-line distance: 215.62 mi (347.01 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 Grafton
Town in Illinois, United States
| Population | 691 |
| Coordinates | 38.9700500, -90.4315000 |
| Altitude | 137 |
| Country | United States |
End: Grafton (-90.4315, 38.97005)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 422 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.61 | $42.61 | $85.23 |
| Mid-grade | $5.24 | $48.47 | $96.94 |
| Premium | $5.79 | $53.59 | $107.19 |
| Diesel | $6.59 | $60.98 | $121.95 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026