How far is Joliet, IL from Shelbyville, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Shelbyville, IL is about 185.4 miles (298.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 151.1 miles (243.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 47m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Shelbyville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Shelbyville.
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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
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3
Continue on Ottawa Street
758 ft · 22 sec · Ottawa Street
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4
Continue on Chicago Street
1 mi · 3 min · Chicago Street
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5
Turn left onto Doris Avenue
686 ft · 15 sec · Doris Avenue
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6
Turn right onto Gardner Street
1482 ft · 36 sec · Gardner Street
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7
Continue on Manhattan Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road
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8
Continue on Manhattan Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road
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9
Continue on West North Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · West North Street
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10
Continue on South State Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · South State Street
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11
Continue on US Route 52
1.2 mi · 2 min · US Route 52
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12
Continue on South Cedar Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · South Cedar Road
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13
Continue on West Arsenal Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · West Arsenal Road
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14
Continue on West Joliet Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Joliet Road
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15
Turn right onto South La Grange Road
10.1 mi · 14 min · South La Grange Road
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16
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
2017 ft · 40 sec · Bourbonnais Parkway
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17
Take the ramp slight right toward I-57 South: Kankakee
2192 ft · 54 sec
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18
Merge slight left
128.3 mi · 2 hr 17 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward IL 16 West: Mattoon
2489 ft · 1 min
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20
Turn straight onto Charleston Avenue East
2.9 mi · 6 min · Charleston Avenue East
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21
Turn left onto South 21st Street
1164 ft · 24 sec · South 21st Street
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22
Turn right onto Marshall Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · Marshall Avenue
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23
Continue on Route 16
1.5 mi · 2 min · Route 16
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24
Continue on Marshall Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · Marshall Avenue
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25
Continue on Illinois Route 16
1.3 mi · 2 min · Illinois Route 16
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26
Continue on South 1st Street
5.2 mi · 8 min · South 1st Street
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27
Continue on Kentucky Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · Kentucky Avenue
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28
Continue on 2900 East
10.2 mi · 15 min · 2900 East
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29
Continue on East Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Shelbyville.
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-57 South
Merge slight left
128 mi · 02h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Joliet and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Shelbyville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Shelbyville?
The road trip is about 185.4 miles (298.4 km) and usually takes 03h 47m 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?
Ludlow is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.8 miles from Joliet and 92.7 miles from Shelbyville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 151.1 miles (243.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.3 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 9:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.66 one way or $49.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Joliet and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Shelbyville.
Stop Ideas Near Ludlow
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 Ludlow.
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Gilman
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Shelbyville. Straight-line distance: 151.03 mi (243.06 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 Shelbyville
Township in Shelby County, Illinois
| Population | 4,420 |
| Coordinates | 39.4064300, -88.7900700 |
| Altitude | 195 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shelbyville (-88.79007, 39.40643)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 298 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.66 | $49.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.81 | $55.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.44 | $60.87 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.69 | $69.38 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.