How far is Joliet, IL from Rantoul, IL?

The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Rantoul, IL is about 99.5 miles (160.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 84.1 miles (135.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
99.54 mi
02h 03m
Flight
84.16 mi
135.44 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Joliet.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
84.16 mi
Kilometers
135.44 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
99.54 mi
Kilometers
160.19 km
Drive Time
02h 03m

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 02h 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rantoul
Sat, Apr 25, 4:38 PM CDT
Return by in Joliet
Sat, Apr 25, 6:41 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Joliet
2026-04-25T14:35
Arrive Rantoul
Sat, Apr 25, 4:38 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:03 AM to 12:03 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:24 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Joliet
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Clifton
IL

Village in Chebanse Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, USA

From Joliet
49.8 mi
01h 01m
To Rantoul
49.8 mi
01h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NE
Destination
71°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 14 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1 mi · 3 min · Chicago Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Doris Avenue

    686 ft · 15 sec · Doris Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Gardner Street

    1482 ft · 36 sec · Gardner Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Manhattan Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Manhattan Road

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road

  9. 9

    Continue on West North Street

    2.3 mi · 4 min · West North Street

  10. 10

    Continue on South State Street

    1.9 mi · 3 min · South State Street

  11. 11

    Continue on US Route 52

    1.2 mi · 2 min · US Route 52

  12. 12

    Continue on South Cedar Road

    3.1 mi · 5 min · South Cedar Road

  13. 13

    Continue on West Arsenal Road

    1.9 mi · 3 min · West Arsenal Road

  14. 14

    Continue on West Joliet Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · West Joliet Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto South La Grange Road

    10.1 mi · 14 min · South La Grange Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway

    2017 ft · 40 sec · Bourbonnais Parkway

  17. 17

    Take the ramp slight right toward I-57 South: Kankakee

    2192 ft · 54 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    67.8 mi · 1 hr 13 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward US 136: Rantoul, Fisher

    1572 ft · 45 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on US 136: Rantoul

    655 ft · 20 sec

  21. 21

    Turn straight onto Champaign Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Champaign Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn left onto South Century Boulevard

    19 m · 2 sec · South Century Boulevard

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Century Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

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
23 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-57 South
68.2 mi · 69%
South La Grange Road
10.1 mi · 10%
Manhattan Road
5.28 mi · 5%
South Cedar Road
3.06 mi · 3%
West North Street
2.25 mi · 2%
South State Street
1.92 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I-57 South

Merge slight left

67.8 mi · 01h 13m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.4 mi
84.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clifton
01h 01m from Joliet
Leave By
2:24 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Joliet and Sunny near Rantoul.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 99.5 miles (160.2 km) and usually takes 02h 03m 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?

Clifton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.8 miles from Joliet and 49.8 miles from Rantoul.

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

The direct path is about 84.1 miles (135.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:24 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.24 one way or $26.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Clifton

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Clifton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Gilman

20 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Kankakee

21 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Dwight station

45 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

59 mi away
721 West Washington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Rantoul. Straight-line distance: 84.16 mi (135.44 km).

Joliet

#1 Joliet

The second most populous city in Will County, Illinois.

Population85,583
Coordinates41.5251900, -88.0834000
Altitude165
CountryUnited States
Rantoul

#2 Rantoul

Village in Illinois

Population12,305
Coordinates40.3083700, -88.1558800
Altitude227
CountryUnited States
Start: Joliet (-88.0834, 41.52519)
End: Rantoul (-88.15588, 40.30837)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 160 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.51 gal
13.3 L · about $13.24
Round trip
$26.47
7.02 gal · 26.6 L
Estimated CO2
31.2 kg one way
Round trip: 62.4 kg / 138 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.24 $26.47
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.93 $29.86
Premium $4.65 $16.34 $32.67
Diesel $5.30 $18.62 $37.23

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 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Joliet and Rantoul. The current time is 14:35:11.

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.