How far is Joliet, IL from Pontoon Beach, IL?

The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Pontoon Beach, IL is about 249.9 miles (402.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 220 miles (354 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 09m 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
249.82 mi
04h 34m
Flight
219.95 mi
353.97 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
219.95 mi
Kilometers
353.97 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
249.82 mi
Kilometers
402.05 km
Drive Time
04h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Pontoon Beach
Thu, Apr 23, 7:15 AM CDT
Return by in Joliet
Thu, Apr 23, 11:50 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Joliet
2026-04-23T02:40
Arrive Pontoon Beach
Thu, Apr 23, 7:15 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:35 AM to 12:35 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
7:50 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
Lawndale
IL

Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States

From Joliet
125 mi
02h 17m
To Pontoon Beach
124.9 mi
02h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
83°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 16 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Pontoon Beach.

  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

    72.8 mi · 1 hr 18 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 270 West: Kansas City

    2058 ft · 32 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    8.1 mi · 9 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 111 North: Wood River

    1580 ft · 34 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left

    48 m · 4 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left

    1.9 mi · 3 min

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Pontoon Road

    2690 ft · 55 sec · Pontoon Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Breckenridge Lane

    17 m · 5 sec · Breckenridge Lane

  18. 18

    Turn right

    9 m · 2 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
231 mi · 92%
I 270 West
8.52 mi · 3%
I 80 West
6.76 mi · 3%
Pontoon Road
0.51 mi
Ottawa Street
0.41 mi
Chicago Street
0.39 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
04h 34m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.9 mi
220 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lawndale
02h 17m from Joliet
Leave By
7:50 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Joliet and Sunny near Pontoon Beach.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Pontoon Beach?

The road trip is about 249.9 miles (402.1 km) and usually takes 04h 34m 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?

Lawndale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125 miles from Joliet and 124.9 miles from Pontoon Beach.

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

The direct path is about 220 miles (354 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.9 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 7:50 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.26 one way or $66.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Lawndale

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 Lawndale and the surrounding midpoint area.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
Scenic stop 6.7 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 4.4 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 Lawndale.

RAIL

Lincoln

10 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Uptown Station

41 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Springfield station

56 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

61 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Pontoon Beach. Straight-line distance: 219.95 mi (353.97 km).

Joliet

#1 Joliet

The second most populous city in Will County, Illinois.

Population85,583
Coordinates41.5251900, -88.0834000
Altitude165
CountryUnited States
Pontoon Beach

#2 Pontoon Beach

Town

Population5,655
Coordinates38.7317200, -90.0803800
Altitude127
CountryUnited States
Start: Joliet (-88.0834, 41.52519)
End: Pontoon Beach (-90.08038, 38.73172)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 402 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.82 gal
33.37 L · about $33.26
Round trip
$66.52
17.64 gal · 66.74 L
Estimated CO2
78.4 kg one way
Round trip: 156.8 kg / 346 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $33.26 $66.52
Mid-grade $4.25 $37.51 $75.02
Premium $4.65 $41.05 $82.10
Diesel $5.30 $46.78 $93.56

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 Pontoon Beach. The current time is 02:40:25.

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.