How far is Joliet, IL from Metropolis, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Metropolis, IL is about 343.5 miles (552.8 km), with a travel time of about 06h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 304.2 miles (489.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 27m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Cumberland County, Illinois, United States
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 Metropolis.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Metropolis.
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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 right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
47.2 mi · 51 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 East: Nashville
1.4 mi · 1 min
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22
Continue straight
35.6 mi · 38 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Metropolis, Brookport, Rest Area, Welcome Center
1848 ft · 40 sec
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24
Turn right onto United States Route 45
1.6 mi · 3 min · United States Route 45
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25
Turn right onto East 12th Street
1.5 km · 2 min · East 12th Street
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26
Turn left onto Ferry Street
2746 ft · 1 min · Ferry Street
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27
Turn right onto West 5th Street
14 m · 1 sec · West 5th Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Metropolis.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Joliet and Sunny near Metropolis.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Metropolis?
The road trip is about 343.5 miles (552.8 km) and usually takes 06h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Neoga is a useful midpoint, sitting about 171.9 miles from Joliet and 171.6 miles from Metropolis.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 304.2 miles (489.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.3 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.70 one way or $91.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 107.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Joliet and Sunny near Metropolis.
Stop Ideas Near Neoga
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 Neoga.
Mattoon station
Effingham
Illinois Terminal
Centralia station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Metropolis. Straight-line distance: 304.19 mi (489.55 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 Metropolis
Very large and significant city or urban area usually with millions of inhabitants
| Population | 5,885 |
| Coordinates | 37.1511700, -88.7320000 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| Country | United States |
End: Metropolis (-88.732, 37.15117)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 553 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $45.70 | $91.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $51.55 | $103.09 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $56.41 | $112.81 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $64.28 | $128.57 |
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.