How far is Joliet, IL from Ottawa, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Ottawa, IL is about 45.1 miles (72.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 41.3 miles (66.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 48m 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 00h 54m.
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.
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 Ottawa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Ottawa.
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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
39 mi · 43 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IL 71: Ottawa, Oswego
1456 ft · 35 sec
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8
Turn left onto Illinois Route 71
2.6 mi · 4 min · Illinois Route 71
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9
Turn left
1287 ft · 27 sec
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10
Turn right onto North 2753rd Road
3277 ft · 1 min · North 2753rd Road
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11
Continue on North Green Street
2119 ft · 42 sec · North Green Street
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12
Continue on East Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · East Main Street
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13
Turn left onto La Salle Street
17 m · 2 sec · La Salle Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · La Salle Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Ottawa.
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
39 mi · 00h 43m
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 Ottawa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Ottawa?
The road trip is about 45.1 miles (72.6 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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?
Morris is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.5 miles from Joliet and 22.6 miles from Ottawa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 41.3 miles (66.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.00 one way or $11.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Joliet and Mostly Sunny near Ottawa.
Stop Ideas Near Morris
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 Morris.
Dwight station
Joliet Transportation Center
Plano
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Ottawa. Straight-line distance: 41.23 mi (66.36 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 Ottawa
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 18,097 |
| Coordinates | 41.3455900, -88.8425800 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ottawa (-88.84258, 41.34559)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 73 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.00 | $11.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.76 | $13.52 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.40 | $14.80 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.43 | $16.87 |
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.