How far is Joliet, IL from McLeansboro, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to McLeansboro, IL is about 285.3 miles (459.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 238.3 miles (383.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 59m 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 29m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and McLeansboro.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and McLeansboro.
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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 left to continue on I 64 East: Louisville
10.7 mi · 12 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Belle Rive, Bluford
1901 ft · 36 sec
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22
Turn right onto County Highway 17
736 ft · 15 sec · County Highway 17
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23
Continue on Brehm Lane
2.2 mi · 4 min · Brehm Lane
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24
Continue on North Main Street
2227 ft · 46 sec · North Main Street
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25
Turn left
11.5 mi · 17 min
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26
Continue on County Road 6
3.8 mi · 6 min · County Road 6
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27
Turn right onto South Washington Street
134 m · 13 sec · South Washington Street
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28
Turn left onto East Main Street
132 m · 13 sec · East Main Street
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29
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
56 m · 3 sec · South Jackson Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and McLeansboro.
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.
Sunny leaving Joliet and Sunny near McLeansboro.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to McLeansboro?
The road trip is about 285.3 miles (459.1 km) and usually takes 05h 29m 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 142.7 miles from Joliet and 142.5 miles from McLeansboro.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 238.3 miles (383.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 47 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 6:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.94 one way or $75.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Joliet and Sunny near McLeansboro.
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 McLeansboro. Straight-line distance: 238.33 mi (383.55 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 McLeansboro
City in Illinois
| Population | 2,730 |
| Coordinates | 38.0933800, -88.5356100 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
End: McLeansboro (-88.53561, 38.09338)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 459 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.94 | $75.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.79 | $85.57 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.82 | $93.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.36 | $106.72 |
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.