How far is New Athens, IL from Joliet, IL?

The driving distance from New Athens, IL to Joliet, IL is about 274 miles (441 km), with a travel time of about 05h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 240.6 miles (387.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 34m 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
274.04 mi
05h 17m
Flight
240.56 mi
387.15 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from New Athens.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
240.56 mi
Kilometers
387.15 km
Flight Time
00h 29m

Driving Distance

Road route
274.04 mi
Kilometers
441.03 km
Drive Time
05h 17m

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 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Joliet
Wed, Apr 15, 11:39 PM CDT
Return by in New Athens
Thu, Apr 16, 4:56 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave New Athens
2026-04-15T18:21
Arrive Joliet
Wed, Apr 15, 11:39 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:17 AM to 1:17 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
6:26 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in New Athens
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
Broadwell
IL

Township in Logan County, Illinois

From New Athens
137.1 mi
02h 38m
To Joliet
137 mi
02h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
This Afternoon

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 PM CDT
Wind
13 mph SW
Destination
66°F
Overnight

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New Athens and Joliet.

  1. 1

    Start on Chester Street

    19 m · 8 sec · Chester Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Benton Street

    2721 ft · 2 min · North Benton Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto South Van Buren Street

    709 ft · 19 sec · South Van Buren Street

  4. 4

    Turn right

    1743 ft · 44 sec

  5. 5

    Turn straight

    15.2 mi · 24 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right

    1491 ft · 38 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto South Illinois Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · South Illinois Street

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Illinois Street

    54 m · 4 sec · North Illinois Street

  9. 9

    Exit the rotary onto North Illinois Street

    9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street

  10. 10

    Continue on South Morrison Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Vandalia Street

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street

  12. 12

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North, I 70 East

    2235 ft · 55 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    3.8 mi · 4 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

    107.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago

    29.4 mi · 31 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

    93.9 mi · 1 hr 41 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Indiana

    1.2 km · 1 min

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    5.1 mi · 6 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Center Street

    1.3 km · 2 min

  20. 20

    Continue on South Center Street

    1401 ft · 38 sec · South Center Street

  21. 21

    Continue on Hickory Street

    1164 ft · 36 sec · Hickory Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto West Jefferson Street

    1572 ft · 52 sec · West Jefferson Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Joliet Street

    53 m · 7 sec · Joliet Street

  24. 24

    Turn right

    83 m · 20 sec

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
25 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
235 mi · 86%
North Illinois Street
9.78 mi · 4%
I 80 East
5.8 mi · 2%
Vandalia Street
2.76 mi · 1%
South Morrison Avenue
1.27 mi
South Illinois Street
0.97 mi
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

108 mi · 01h 57m

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
05h 17m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33.4 mi
240.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Broadwell
02h 38m from New Athens
Leave By
6:26 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving New Athens and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Joliet.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from New Athens to Joliet?

The road trip is about 274 miles (441 km) and usually takes 05h 17m 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?

Broadwell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137.1 miles from New Athens and 137 miles from Joliet.

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

The direct path is about 240.6 miles (387.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.4 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 6:26 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.47 one way or $72.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around New Athens and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Joliet.

Stop Ideas Near Broadwell

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Broadwell, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Lincoln

11 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Springfield station

35 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.
RAIL

Uptown Station

63 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

70 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between New Athens and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 240.56 mi (387.15 km).

New Athens

#1 New Athens

Village in St.

Population1,865
Coordinates38.3264400, -89.8770500
Altitude121
CountryUnited States
Joliet

#2 Joliet

The second most populous city in Will County, Illinois.

Population85,583
Coordinates41.5251900, -88.0834000
Altitude165
CountryUnited States
Start: New Athens (-89.87705, 38.32644)
End: Joliet (-88.0834, 41.52519)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 441 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 54m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.67 gal
36.61 L · about $36.47
Round trip
$72.93
19.34 gal · 73.22 L
Estimated CO2
85.9 kg one way
Round trip: 171.9 kg / 379 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $36.47 $72.93
Mid-grade $4.25 $41.13 $82.25
Premium $4.65 $45.00 $90.01
Diesel $5.30 $51.29 $102.58

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between New Athens and Joliet. The current time is 18:21:38.

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.