How far is Joliet, IL from South Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to South Elgin, IL is about 38.8 miles (62.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34.2 miles (55 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 29m 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 14m.
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.
The second most populous city in Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and South Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and South Elgin.
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1
Start on the route
83 m · 22 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Joliet Street
864 ft · 35 sec · Joliet Street
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3
Turn left onto Cass Street
667 ft · 19 sec · Cass Street
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4
Continue on Western Avenue
1227 ft · 40 sec · Western Avenue
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5
Turn right onto North Center Street
1400 ft · 40 sec · North Center Street
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6
Continue on Plainfield Road
5.2 mi · 11 min · Plainfield Road
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7
Continue on Joliet Road
2.5 mi · 5 min · Joliet Road
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8
Turn slight right onto North Division Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Division Street
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9
Turn left onto 143rd Street
1.6 km · 2 min · 143rd Street
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10
Turn right onto Lincoln Highway
7.5 mi · 11 min · Lincoln Highway
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11
Continue on Hill Avenue
2.4 mi · 4 min · Hill Avenue
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12
Continue on East Galena Boulevard
612 ft · 21 sec · East Galena Boulevard
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13
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
741 ft · 15 sec · North Ohio Street
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14
Turn right onto East New York Street
2767 ft · 52 sec · East New York Street
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15
Turn left onto North Farnsworth Avenue
4 mi · 9 min · North Farnsworth Avenue
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16
Continue on Kirk Road
3.9 mi · 7 min · Kirk Road
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17
Continue on Kirk Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Kirk Road
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18
Continue on North Kirk Road
4.1 mi · 7 min · North Kirk Road
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19
Continue on Dunham Road
2.5 mi · 4 min · Dunham Road
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20
Turn left onto Stearns Road
2472 ft · 60 sec · Stearns Road
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21
Turn right onto South Gilbert Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · South Gilbert Street
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22
Turn left onto East State Street
608 ft · 18 sec · East State Street
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23
Turn left onto South Center Street
12 m · 2 sec · South Center Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Center Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and South Elgin.
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.
Lincoln Highway
Turn right onto Lincoln Highway
7.5 mi · 00h 11m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Joliet and Mostly Sunny near South Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to South Elgin?
The road trip is about 38.8 miles (62.5 km) and usually takes 01h 14m 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?
Aurora is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.4 miles from Joliet and 19.4 miles from South Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 34.2 miles (55 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.6 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 4:00 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.17 one way or $10.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Joliet and Mostly Sunny near South Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Aurora
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 Aurora.
Naperville
Plano
Joliet Transportation Center
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and South Elgin. Straight-line distance: 34.14 mi (54.95 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 South Elgin
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 24,646 |
| Coordinates | 41.9941900, -88.2923000 |
| Altitude | 216 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Elgin (-88.2923, 41.99419)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 62 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.17 | $10.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.83 | $11.65 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.38 | $12.75 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.27 | $14.53 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.