How far is Joliet, IL from Wood River, IL?
The driving distance from Joliet, IL to Wood River, IL is about 245.4 miles (394.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 212.6 miles (342.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 13m 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 04h 36m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joliet and Wood River.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joliet and Wood River.
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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
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 right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
62.6 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville
1756 ft · 43 sec
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12
Turn right onto East State Street
1 km · 1 min · East State Street
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13
Continue on State Route 140
9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140
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14
Continue on East Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi · 4 min · East Bethalto Drive
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15
Turn left onto North Bellwood Drive
1.5 km · 2 min · North Bellwood Drive
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16
Continue on South Bellwood Drive
1.1 km · 1 min · South Bellwood Drive
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17
Continue on Vaughn Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · Vaughn Road
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18
Continue on North Central Avenue
1376 ft · 34 sec · North Central Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Madison Avenue
1.6 km · 1 min · Madison Avenue
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20
Turn slight right
63 m · 8 sec
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21
Turn slight right onto South Wood River Avenue
67 m · 8 sec · South Wood River Avenue
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22
Turn right onto East Ferguson Avenue
50 m · 7 sec · East Ferguson Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Ferguson Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joliet and Wood River.
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 Sunny leaving Joliet and Sunny near Wood River.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joliet to Wood River?
The road trip is about 245.4 miles (394.9 km) and usually takes 04h 36m 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?
Lawndale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.7 miles from Joliet and 122.7 miles from Wood River.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 212.6 miles (342.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.8 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 7:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.66 one way or $65.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Joliet and Sunny near Wood River.
Stop Ideas Near Lawndale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Lincoln
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lawndale.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Springfield station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joliet and Wood River. Straight-line distance: 212.55 mi (342.06 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 Wood River
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 10,002 |
| Coordinates | 38.8611600, -90.0976100 |
| Altitude | 133 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wood River (-90.09761, 38.86116)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 395 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.66 | $65.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.83 | $73.66 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.30 | $80.61 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.93 | $91.87 |
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.