How far is Joliet, IL from Malta, IL?

The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Malta, IL is about 57.5 miles (92.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 48.9 miles (78.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
57.51 mi
01h 28m
Flight
48.88 mi
78.66 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Joliet.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
48.88 mi
Kilometers
78.66 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
57.51 mi
Kilometers
92.56 km
Drive Time
01h 28m

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 01h 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Malta
Sun, May 31, 1:44 AM CDT
Return by in Joliet
Sun, May 31, 3:12 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Joliet
2026-05-31T00:16
Arrive Malta
Sun, May 31, 1:44 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:28 AM to 11:28 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:34 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Joliet
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Sugar Grove
IL

City in Kane County, Illinois, United States of America

From Joliet
28.7 mi
00h 44m
To Malta
28.8 mi
00h 44m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE
Destination
77°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Malta.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Malta.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    83 m · 22 sec

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Joliet Street

    864 ft · 35 sec · Joliet Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Cass Street

    667 ft · 19 sec · Cass Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Western Avenue

    1227 ft · 40 sec · Western Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto North Center Street

    1400 ft · 40 sec · North Center Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Plainfield Road

    5.2 mi · 11 min · Plainfield Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Joliet Road

    2.5 mi · 5 min · Joliet Road

  8. 8

    Turn slight right onto North Division Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Division Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto 143rd Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · 143rd Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Lincoln Highway

    7.5 mi · 11 min · Lincoln Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Hill Avenue

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Hill Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on East Galena Boulevard

    612 ft · 21 sec · East Galena Boulevard

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Ohio Street

    741 ft · 21 sec · North Ohio Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto East New York Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · East New York Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North Lake Street

    2.1 mi · 4 min · North Lake Street

  16. 16

    Continue on South Lincolnway Street

    1885 ft · 39 sec · South Lincolnway Street

  17. 17

    Take the ramp left toward I 88 West Toll, IL 56 West Toll: Chicago, Dekalb-Iowa

    118 m · 10 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on I 88 West, IL 56 West: DeKalb-Iowa

    3054 ft · 1 min

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

    2.8 mi · 3 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

    22.3 mi · 24 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward DeKalb, Annie Glidden Road

    2299 ft · 58 sec

  22. 22

    Continue on South Annie Glidden Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Annie Glidden Road

  23. 23

    Turn left onto West Lincoln Highway

    4.6 mi · 7 min · West Lincoln Highway

  24. 24

    Turn left onto North 4th Street

    2139 ft · 2 min · North 4th Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Adams Street

    21 m · 3 sec · Adams Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Adams Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Malta.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
26 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
45.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
25 mi · 44%
Lincoln Highway
7.5 mi · 13%
Plainfield Road
5.24 mi · 9%
West Lincoln Highway
4.58 mi · 8%
Joliet Road
2.46 mi · 4%
Hill Avenue
2.35 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

22.3 mi · 00h 24m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 28m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.6 mi
48.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sugar Grove
00h 44m from Joliet
Leave By
3:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Joliet and Mostly Sunny near Malta.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Malta?

The road trip is about 57.5 miles (92.6 km) and usually takes 01h 28m 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?

Sugar Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.7 miles from Joliet and 28.8 miles from Malta.

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

The direct path is about 48.9 miles (78.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.66 one way or $15.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Joliet and Mostly Sunny near Malta.

Stop Ideas Near Sugar Grove

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Sugar Grove, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sugar Grove.

RAIL

Plano

14 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

Naperville

25 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

40 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

48 mi away
25 West Burlington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Malta. Straight-line distance: 48.88 mi (78.66 km).

Joliet

#1 Joliet

The second most populous city in Will County, Illinois.

Population85,583
Coordinates41.5251900, -88.0834000
Altitude165
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Malta

Village in Illinois, US

Population1,161
Coordinates41.9297500, -88.8609200
Altitude277
CountryUnited States
Start: Joliet (-88.0834, 41.52519)
End: Malta (-88.86092, 41.92975)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 93 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.03 gal
7.68 L · about $7.66
Round trip
$15.31
4.06 gal · 15.36 L
Estimated CO2
18 kg one way
Round trip: 36.1 kg / 80 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.66 $15.31
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.63 $17.27
Premium $4.65 $9.45 $18.90
Diesel $5.30 $10.77 $21.53

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 · May 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Joliet and Malta. The current time is 00:16:11.

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.