How far is Joliet, IL from Prospect Heights, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Prospect Heights, IL is about 48.7 miles (78.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.1 miles (64.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 23m 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 11m.
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 Downers Grove, Lisle, and York Townships, DuPage County, Illinois, US
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Prospect Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Prospect Heights.
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1
Start on the route
34 m · 10 sec
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2
Turn right onto Ottawa Street
53 m · 12 sec · Ottawa Street
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3
Turn left onto East Jefferson Street
795 ft · 27 sec · East Jefferson Street
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4
Keep slight right to continue on East Jefferson Street
1967 ft · 1 min · East Jefferson Street
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5
Continue on Collins Street
2 mi · 5 min · Collins Street
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6
Continue on South State Street
4.3 mi · 10 min · South State Street
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7
Continue on South Archer Avenue
2.4 mi · 4 min · South Archer Avenue
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8
Turn left onto I 355 North: West Suburbs
2672 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
24.4 mi · 30 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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10
Merge slight left
5.6 mi · 7 min
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11
Keep slight left
4.9 mi · 7 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward East Palatine Road
2489 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Palatine Road
1.1 mi · 1 min · Palatine Road
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14
Turn slight right onto East Rand Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · East Rand Road
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15
Turn left onto West Camp McDonald Road
1.4 km · 2 min · West Camp McDonald Road
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Camp McDonald Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Prospect Heights.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
24.4 mi · 00h 30m
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.
Sunny leaving Joliet and Sunny near Prospect Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Prospect Heights?
The road trip is about 48.7 miles (78.3 km) and usually takes 01h 11m 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?
Downers Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.3 miles from Joliet and 24.3 miles from Prospect Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.1 miles (64.5 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 4:06 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.45 one way or $12.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Joliet and Sunny near Prospect Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Downers Grove
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 Downers Grove.
La Grange Road
Naperville
Summit
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Prospect Heights. Straight-line distance: 40.1 mi (64.54 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 Prospect Heights
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 15,702 |
| Coordinates | 42.0953000, -87.9375700 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
End: Prospect Heights (-87.93757, 42.0953)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.45 | $12.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.27 | $14.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.96 | $15.92 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $9.07 | $18.14 |
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 · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.