How far is Joliet, IL from Petersburg, IL?

The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Petersburg, IL is about 167.1 miles (268.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 139.5 miles (224.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
167.07 mi
03h 13m
Flight
139.5 mi
224.51 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Joliet.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
139.5 mi
Kilometers
224.51 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
167.07 mi
Kilometers
268.87 km
Drive Time
03h 13m

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 03h 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Petersburg
Sun, Apr 19, 10:07 AM CDT
Return by in Joliet
Sun, Apr 19, 1:20 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Joliet
2026-04-19T06:54
Arrive Petersburg
Sun, Apr 19, 10:07 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:13 AM to 11:13 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:34 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Joliet
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Towanda
IL

Township in McLean County, Illinois

From Joliet
83.5 mi
01h 36m
To Petersburg
83.6 mi
01h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph WNW
Destination
58°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    34 m · 10 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Ottawa Street

    1397 ft · 44 sec · Ottawa Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Ottawa Street

    758 ft · 22 sec · Ottawa Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Chicago Street

    2079 ft · 1 min · Chicago Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island

    1707 ft · 42 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    6.4 mi · 8 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

    1900 ft · 54 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    93 mi · 1 hr 40 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

    47.8 mi · 51 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 123: Williamsville

    1678 ft · 41 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right

    112 m · 11 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto County Highway 2

    644 ft · 12 sec · County Highway 2

  13. 13

    Continue on Dinius Road

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Dinius Road

  14. 14

    Continue on County Road 11 North

    3.6 mi · 6 min · County Road 11 North

  15. 15

    Turn right

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Springfield Road

    1810 ft · 1 min · Springfield Road

  17. 17

    Continue on East Hargrave Street

    2666 ft · 2 min · East Hargrave Street

  18. 18

    At the end of the road, turn right onto North Main Street

    1186 ft · 42 sec · North Main Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Salem Road

    91 m · 9 sec · Salem Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Athens Blacktop Road

    6.6 mi · 10 min · Athens Blacktop Road

  21. 21

    Turn right

    2.2 mi · 4 min

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 6th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
22 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
141 mi · 84%
I 80 West
6.76 mi · 4%
Athens Blacktop Road
6.57 mi · 4%
County Road 11 North
3.56 mi · 2%
Dinius Road
2.85 mi · 2%
East Hargrave Street
0.51 mi
Longest Stretch

I 55 South

Merge slight left

93 mi · 01h 40m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 13m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.6 mi
139.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Towanda
01h 36m from Joliet
Leave By
10:34 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Joliet and Sunny near Petersburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 167.1 miles (268.9 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?

Towanda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.5 miles from Joliet and 83.6 miles from Petersburg.

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

The direct path is about 139.5 miles (224.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:34 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.25 one way or $44.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Towanda

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Towanda and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 9.8 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Meeting point 11.7 mi away

City of Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Rating 3.6/5 8 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 11.7 mi away

Bloomington Finance Department

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
City tax office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Towanda.

RAIL

Uptown Station

9 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

41 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Lincoln

61 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

68 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Petersburg. Straight-line distance: 139.5 mi (224.51 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 Petersburg

City in Menard County, Illinois

Population2,190
Coordinates40.0117200, -89.8481700
Altitude156
CountryUnited States
Start: Joliet (-88.0834, 41.52519)
End: Petersburg (-89.84817, 40.01172)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 269 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.9 gal
22.32 L · about $22.25
Round trip
$44.50
11.8 gal · 44.64 L
Estimated CO2
52.4 kg one way
Round trip: 104.9 kg / 231 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.25 $44.50
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.09 $50.19
Premium $4.65 $27.46 $54.92
Diesel $5.30 $31.29 $62.59

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Joliet and Petersburg. The current time is 06:54:16.

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.