How far is Joliet, IL from Sullivan, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Sullivan, IL is about 173.2 miles (278.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.9 miles (218.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 00m 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 30m.
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.
Township in McLean County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Sullivan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Sullivan.
-
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
2079 ft · 1 min · Chicago Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
1707 ft · 42 sec
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6
Merge slight left
6.4 mi · 8 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
1900 ft · 54 sec
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8
Merge slight left
93 mi · 1 hr 40 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
2.1 mi · 2 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
1616 ft · 40 sec
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11
Continue on North 1450 East Road
14.7 mi · 18 min · North 1450 East Road
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12
Continue on North Walnut Street
23.2 mi · 30 min · North Walnut Street
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13
Turn straight
4.3 mi · 7 min
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14
Turn left onto West Eldorado Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · West Eldorado Street
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15
Turn slight right
3.3 mi · 5 min
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16
Continue on South Mount Zion Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · South Mount Zion Road
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17
Continue on North State Route 121
20.9 mi · 30 min · North State Route 121
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18
Turn right onto North Hamilton Street
534 ft · 16 sec · North Hamilton Street
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19
Turn left onto West Harrison Street
134 m · 19 sec · West Harrison Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Harrison Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Sullivan.
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 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.
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Joliet and Chance Rain Showers near Sullivan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Sullivan?
The road trip is about 173.2 miles (278.8 km) and usually takes 03h 30m 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?
Towanda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.6 miles from Joliet and 86.6 miles from Sullivan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.9 miles (218.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.3 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 10:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.04 one way or $46.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Joliet and Chance Rain Showers near Sullivan.
Stop Ideas Near Towanda
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Towanda.
Uptown Station
Pontiac station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Sullivan. Straight-line distance: 135.87 mi (218.66 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 Sullivan
City in Illinois
| Population | 4,400 |
| Coordinates | 39.5994800, -88.6078400 |
| Altitude | 205 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sullivan (-88.60784, 39.59948)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.04 | $46.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.99 | $51.97 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.44 | $56.87 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.41 | $64.81 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.