How far is Joliet, IL from Pontiac, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Pontiac, IL is about 61.4 miles (98.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 52.8 miles (85 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 25m 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 01h 12m.
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.
Village in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Rain Showers
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Pontiac.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Pontiac.
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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
-
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
6.4 mi · 8 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
1900 ft · 54 sec
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8
Merge slight left
49.4 mi · 54 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 23: Pontiac, Streator
1740 ft · 30 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on IL 23: Pontiac, Streator
34 m · 3 sec
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11
Turn left onto North 1500 East Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · North 1500 East Road
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12
Turn right onto Old Route 66
2126 ft · 48 sec · Old Route 66
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13
Turn left onto West Howard Street
1.3 km · 2 min · West Howard Street
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14
Turn right onto North Main Street
95 m · 8 sec · North Main Street
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15
Turn right onto West Madison Street
92 m · 15 sec · West Madison Street
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16
Turn right onto North Mill Street
62 m · 4 sec · North Mill Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Mill Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Pontiac.
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 55 South
Merge slight left
49.4 mi · 00h 54m
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.
Scattered Rain Showers leaving Joliet and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers near Pontiac.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Pontiac?
The road trip is about 61.4 miles (98.8 km) and usually takes 01h 12m 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?
Gardner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30.7 miles from Joliet and 30.7 miles from Pontiac.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 52.8 miles (85 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:04 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.19 one way or $20.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around Joliet and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers near Pontiac.
Stop Ideas Near Gardner
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 Gardner.
Dwight station
Kankakee
Joliet Transportation Center
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Pontiac. Straight-line distance: 52.8 mi (84.98 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 Pontiac
Pontiac is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.8808700, -88.6297800 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pontiac (-88.62978, 40.88087)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 99 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.69 | $10.19 | $20.37 |
| Mid-grade | $5.33 | $11.57 | $23.13 |
| Premium | $5.88 | $12.75 | $25.50 |
| Diesel | $6.58 | $14.27 | $28.55 |
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 · Oct 16, 2026