How far is Joliet, IL from Lena, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Lena, IL is about 134 miles (215.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 107.1 miles (172.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 59m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Lena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Lena.
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1
Start on the route
83 m · 22 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Joliet Street
864 ft · 35 sec · Joliet Street
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3
Turn left onto Cass Street
667 ft · 19 sec · Cass Street
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4
Continue on Western Avenue
1227 ft · 40 sec · Western Avenue
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5
Turn right onto North Center Street
1400 ft · 40 sec · North Center Street
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6
Continue on Plainfield Road
5.2 mi · 11 min · Plainfield Road
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7
Continue on Joliet Road
2.5 mi · 5 min · Joliet Road
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8
Turn slight right onto North Division Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Division Street
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9
Turn left onto 143rd Street
1.6 km · 2 min · 143rd Street
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10
Turn right onto Lincoln Highway
7.5 mi · 11 min · Lincoln Highway
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11
Continue on Hill Avenue
2.4 mi · 4 min · Hill Avenue
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12
Continue on East Galena Boulevard
612 ft · 21 sec · East Galena Boulevard
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13
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
741 ft · 21 sec · North Ohio Street
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14
Turn left onto East New York Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · East New York Street
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15
Turn right onto North Lake Street
2.1 mi · 4 min · North Lake Street
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16
Continue on South Lincolnway Street
1885 ft · 39 sec · South Lincolnway Street
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17
Take the ramp left toward I 88 West Toll, IL 56 West Toll: Chicago, Dekalb-Iowa
118 m · 10 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 88 West, IL 56 West: DeKalb-Iowa
3054 ft · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
34.8 mi · 37 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North, US 51 North: Rockford
1.1 km · 1 min
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22
Merge slight left
21.1 mi · 23 min
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23
Take the exit slight left toward US 20 West: Freeport, Rockford
1.1 mi · 2 min
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24
Merge slight left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
28.9 mi · 33 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 BUS: Freeport
3.6 mi · 6 min
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26
Turn slight right onto South Galena Avenue
7.3 mi · 13 min · South Galena Avenue
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27
Turn left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
6.6 mi · 9 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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28
Turn right onto IL 73
1 mi · 2 min · IL 73
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29
Continue on South Schuyler Street
1 km · 1 min · South Schuyler Street
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30
Turn left onto West Lena Street
28 m · 2 sec · West Lena Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Lena Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Lena.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
34.8 mi · 00h 37m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Joliet and Mostly Sunny near Lena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Lena?
The road trip is about 134 miles (215.6 km) and usually takes 02h 59m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Hillcrest is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.9 miles from Joliet and 67 miles from Lena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 107.1 miles (172.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.84 one way or $35.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Joliet and Mostly Sunny near Lena.
Stop Ideas Near Hillcrest
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 Hillcrest.
Rockford, Illinois
Mendota station
Plano
South Beloit, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Lena. Straight-line distance: 107.09 mi (172.34 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 Lena
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 2,680 |
| Coordinates | 42.3794600, -89.8223400 |
| Altitude | 289 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lena (-89.82234, 42.37946)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 216 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.84 | $35.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.12 | $40.23 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.01 | $44.03 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.09 | $50.18 |
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.