How far is McLeansboro, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance from McLeansboro, IL to Joliet, IL is about 285.8 miles (459.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 238.3 miles (383.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 02m 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 05h 31m.
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 Douglas County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McLeansboro and Joliet.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McLeansboro and Joliet.
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1
Start on South Jackson Street
78 m · 10 sec · South Jackson Street
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2
Turn left onto Market Street
15.4 mi · 23 min · Market Street
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3
Turn right onto North Main Street
2277 ft · 46 sec · North Main Street
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4
Continue on North Brehm Lane
2.2 mi · 4 min · North Brehm Lane
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5
Continue on County Highway 17
2187 ft · 49 sec · County Highway 17
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6
Turn left
2679 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
14.4 mi · 16 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
154.9 mi · 2 hr 46 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Bourbonnais Parkway
2050 ft · 42 sec
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11
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
3273 ft · 1 min · Bourbonnais Parkway
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12
Turn right
10.1 mi · 14 min
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13
Turn left onto West Joliet Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Joliet Road
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14
Continue on West Arsenal Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · West Arsenal Road
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15
Continue on West Joliet Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · West Joliet Road
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16
Continue on US Route 52
1.2 mi · 2 min · US Route 52
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17
Continue on South State Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · South State Street
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18
Continue on West North Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · West North Street
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19
Continue on Manhattan Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road
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20
Turn left onto Manhattan Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Manhattan Road
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21
Continue on Gardner Street
1482 ft · 43 sec · Gardner Street
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22
Turn left onto Doris Avenue
686 ft · 16 sec · Doris Avenue
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23
Turn right onto South Chicago Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Chicago Street
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Chicago Street
83 m · 13 sec · Chicago Street
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25
Turn left onto West Washington Street
771 ft · 25 sec · West Washington Street
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26
Turn right onto Joliet Street
158 m · 18 sec · Joliet Street
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27
Turn right
83 m · 20 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McLeansboro and Joliet.
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 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
155 mi · 02h 46m
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.
Sunny leaving McLeansboro and Sunny near Joliet.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McLeansboro to Joliet?
The road trip is about 285.8 miles (459.9 km) and usually takes 05h 31m 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?
Arcola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143 miles from McLeansboro and 142.9 miles from Joliet.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 238.3 miles (383.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.5 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 5:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.05 one way or $76.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around McLeansboro and Sunny near Joliet.
Stop Ideas Near Arcola
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 Arcola.
Mattoon station
Illinois Terminal
Effingham
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McLeansboro and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 238.33 mi (383.55 km).
#1 McLeansboro
City in Illinois
| Population | 2,730 |
| Coordinates | 38.0933800, -88.5356100 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Joliet
The second most populous city in Will County, Illinois.
| Population | 85,583 |
| Coordinates | 41.5251900, -88.0834000 |
| Altitude | 165 |
| Country | United States |
End: Joliet (-88.0834, 41.52519)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 460 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.05 | $76.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.91 | $85.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.96 | $93.92 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.52 | $107.03 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.