How far is Joliet, IL from Vandalia, IL?

The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Vandalia, IL is about 211.3 miles (340 km), with a travel time of about 04h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 185 miles (297.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
211.29 mi
04h 12m
Flight
185.03 mi
297.78 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Joliet.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
185.03 mi
Kilometers
297.78 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
211.29 mi
Kilometers
340.04 km
Drive Time
04h 12m

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 04h 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Vandalia
Fri, May 1, 8:37 PM CDT
Return by in Joliet
Sat, May 2, 12:49 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Joliet
2026-05-01T16:25
Arrive Vandalia
Fri, May 1, 8:37 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:12 AM to 12:12 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:36 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Joliet
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Burns
IL

Township in Henry County, Illinois

From Joliet
105.7 mi
02h 06m
To Vandalia
105.6 mi
02h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph N
Destination
59°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    2079 ft · 1 min · Chicago Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island

    1707 ft · 42 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    6.4 mi · 8 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

    1900 ft · 54 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    93 mi · 1 hr 40 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur

    2.1 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington

    1616 ft · 40 sec

  11. 11

    Continue on North 1450 East Road

    14.7 mi · 18 min · North 1450 East Road

  12. 12

    Continue on North Walnut Street

    23.2 mi · 30 min · North Walnut Street

  13. 13

    Turn straight

    9.9 mi · 15 min

  14. 14

    Take the ramp straight toward South Business Route 51

    19.6 mi · 24 min · South Business Route 51

  15. 15

    Continue on North 2600 East Rd

    7.9 mi · 9 min · North 2600 East Rd

  16. 16

    Turn right onto North 2600 East Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · North 2600 East Road

  17. 17

    Continue on Jackson Street

    2668 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Cedar Street

    142 m · 8 sec · Cedar Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto East 1st Street

    2150 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto South Poplar Street

    2138 ft · 30 sec · South Poplar Street

  21. 21

    Turn straight onto Fair Avenue

    3070 ft · 2 min · Fair Avenue

  22. 22

    Continue on County Road 2400 E

    2 mi · 3 min · County Road 2400 E

  23. 23

    Continue on 300 East Road

    15.1 mi · 17 min · 300 East Road

  24. 24

    Continue on County Road 875 East

    11.1 mi · 13 min · County Road 875 East

  25. 25

    Continue on North Kennedy Boulevard

    1.5 mi · 2 min · North Kennedy Boulevard

  26. 26

    Turn right onto West Gallatin Street

    34 m · 2 sec · West Gallatin Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Gallatin Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
27 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
93.3 mi · 44%
North Walnut Street
23.2 mi · 11%
South Business Route 51
19.6 mi · 9%
300 East Road
15.1 mi · 7%
North 1450 East Road
14.7 mi · 7%
County Road 875 East
11.1 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 12m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.3 mi
185 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Burns
02h 06m from Joliet
Leave By
8:36 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Joliet and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Vandalia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 211.3 miles (340 km) and usually takes 04h 12m 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?

Burns is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.7 miles from Joliet and 105.6 miles from Vandalia.

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

The direct path is about 185 miles (297.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.3 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 8:36 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.09 one way or $56.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Joliet and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Vandalia.

Stop Ideas Near Burns

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Burns and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 7.5 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Meeting point 5.3 mi away

City of Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Rating 3.6/5 8 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 5.3 mi away

Bloomington Finance Department

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
City tax office

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Uptown Station

12 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Lincoln

43 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Pontiac station

61 mi away
721 West Washington St.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

67 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Vandalia. Straight-line distance: 185.03 mi (297.78 km).

Joliet

#1 Joliet

The second most populous city in Will County, Illinois.

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

#2 Vandalia

Township in Fayette County, Illinois

Population6,662
Coordinates38.9606000, -89.0936800
Altitude158
CountryUnited States
Start: Joliet (-88.0834, 41.52519)
End: Vandalia (-89.09368, 38.9606)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 340 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.45 gal
28.22 L · about $28.09
Round trip
$56.19
14.9 gal · 56.44 L
Estimated CO2
66.2 kg one way
Round trip: 132.4 kg / 292 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $28.09 $56.19
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.68 $63.37
Premium $4.65 $34.67 $69.34
Diesel $5.30 $39.51 $79.03

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 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Joliet and Vandalia. The current time is 16:25:45.

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.