How far is Joliet, IL from Knox, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Knox, IL is about 165.8 miles (266.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120 miles (193.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 13m 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 03h 06m.
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 Bureau County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Knox.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Knox.
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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
122 mi · 2 hr 12 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 74 West, I 280 West: Moline, Rock Island
2553 ft · 31 sec
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 East: Peoria
1427 ft · 49 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
158 m · 6 sec · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
39.4 mi · 42 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 150, IL 97: Lewistown
1112 ft · 27 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on US 150 East: Brimfield
32 m · 3 sec
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13
Turn straight onto US 150 / IL 97
1302 ft · 20 sec · US 150 / IL 97
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14
Continue on Knox Road 1020 East
1.4 mi · 5 min · Knox Road 1020 East
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15
Turn left onto Mine Road
2682 ft · 2 min · Mine Road
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16
Turn right onto Knox Station Road
45 m · 7 sec · Knox Station Road
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Knox Station Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Knox.
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 80 West
Merge slight left
122 mi · 02h 12m
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 Sunny near Knox.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Knox?
The road trip is about 165.8 miles (266.8 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?
Wyanet is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.8 miles from Joliet and 83 miles from Knox.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 120 miles (193.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.8 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 10:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.06 one way or $44.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Joliet and Sunny near Knox.
Stop Ideas Near Wyanet
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 Wyanet.
Princeton
Kewanee
Mendota station
Moline, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Knox. Straight-line distance: 119.99 mi (193.11 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 Knox
County seat of Knox County, Tennessee, United States; third-largest city in Tennessee
| Population | 2,692 |
| Coordinates | 40.9342000, -90.2548500 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
End: Knox (-90.25485, 40.9342)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 267 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.06 | $44.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.88 | $49.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.23 | $54.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.03 | $62.06 |
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.