How far is Joliet, IL from Piasa, IL?

The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Piasa, IL is about 231.6 miles (372.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 198.2 miles (318.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 48m 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
231.67 mi
04h 24m
Flight
198.14 mi
318.87 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
198.14 mi
Kilometers
318.87 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
231.67 mi
Kilometers
372.84 km
Drive Time
04h 24m

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 04h 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Piasa
Thu, Apr 23, 3:32 AM CDT
Return by in Joliet
Thu, Apr 23, 7:56 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Joliet
2026-04-22T23:08
Arrive Piasa
Thu, Apr 23, 3:32 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:24 AM to 12:24 PM CDT

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

Leave by
8:12 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

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
McLean
IL

Village in McLean County, Illinois, United States

From Joliet
115.8 mi
02h 12m
To Piasa
115.8 mi
02h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph ENE
Destination
78°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    39.7 mi · 43 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 16: Gillespie, Litchfield

    2998 ft · 57 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto County Road 1200 North

    8.4 mi · 12 min · County Road 1200 North

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Broadway Street

    8 mi · 12 min · Broadway Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 8000N

    4.4 mi · 6 min · 8000N

  15. 15

    Continue on East Railroad Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East Railroad Street

  16. 16

    Continue on 8000N

    3.7 mi · 6 min · 8000N

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Piasa Road

    38 m · 6 sec · Piasa Road

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Piasa Road

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
198 mi · 85%
County Road 1200 North
8.36 mi · 4%
8000N
8.1 mi · 3%
Broadway Street
7.99 mi · 3%
I 80 West
6.76 mi · 3%
East Railroad Street
1.16 mi · 1%
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
04h 24m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33.4 mi
198.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
McLean
02h 12m from Joliet
Leave By
8:12 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Joliet and Sunny near Piasa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 231.6 miles (372.8 km) and usually takes 04h 24m 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?

McLean is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115.8 miles from Joliet and 115.8 miles from Piasa.

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

The direct path is about 198.2 miles (318.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.4 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 8:12 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.85 one way or $61.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Joliet and Sunny near Piasa.

Stop Ideas Near McLean

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 McLean and the surrounding midpoint area.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
Scenic stop 2.2 mi away

Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!

Atlanta , IL
865 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL 61723, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Tourist attraction
City of Lincoln
Meeting point 13.2 mi away

City of Lincoln

Lincoln , IL
700 Broadway St, Lincoln, IL 62656
Rating 3.8/5 4 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Lincoln

25 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Uptown Station

27 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

59 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway
RAIL

Springfield station

70 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Piasa. Straight-line distance: 198.14 mi (318.87 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 Piasa

Unincorporated community in Illinois

Population3,151
Coordinates39.1158800, -90.1237200
Altitude181
CountryUnited States
Start: Joliet (-88.0834, 41.52519)
End: Piasa (-90.12372, 39.11588)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 373 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.18 gal
30.95 L · about $30.85
Round trip
$61.69
16.36 gal · 61.9 L
Estimated CO2
72.7 kg one way
Round trip: 145.4 kg / 321 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $30.85 $61.69
Mid-grade $4.25 $34.79 $69.58
Premium $4.65 $38.07 $76.14
Diesel $5.30 $43.39 $86.77

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

There is no time difference between Joliet and Piasa. The current time is 23:08:16.

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.