How far is Pekin, IL from Joliet, IL?

The driving distance from Pekin, IL to Joliet, IL is about 132.6 miles (213.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 104.7 miles (168.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
132.63 mi
02h 06m
Flight
104.7 mi
168.5 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Pekin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
104.7 mi
Kilometers
168.5 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
132.63 mi
Kilometers
213.45 km
Drive Time
02h 06m

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 02h 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Joliet
Thu, Apr 23, 4:05 AM CDT
Return by in Pekin
Thu, Apr 23, 6:11 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Pekin
2026-04-23T01:58
Arrive Joliet
Thu, Apr 23, 4:05 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:07 AM to 12:07 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:16 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Pekin
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Chenoa
IL

City in Illinois

From Pekin
66.3 mi
01h 03m
To Joliet
66.3 mi
01h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 17 mph S
Destination
82°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South 8th Street

    53 m · 3 sec · South 8th Street

  2. 2

    Turn straight onto Ann Eliza Street

    1194 ft · 20 sec · Ann Eliza Street

  3. 3

    Turn straight

    56 m · 3 sec

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto North 5th Street

    2114 ft · 36 sec · North 5th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on North 8th Street

    3002 ft · 51 sec · North 8th Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Radio City Drive

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Radio City Drive

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight right

    2974 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    4.8 mi · 5 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    27 mi · 29 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago

    1.4 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    86.7 mi · 1 hr 33 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Indiana

    1.2 km · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    5.1 mi · 6 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Center Street

    1.3 km · 2 min

  15. 15

    Continue on South Center Street

    1401 ft · 38 sec · South Center Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Hickory Street

    1164 ft · 36 sec · Hickory Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Jefferson Street

    1572 ft · 52 sec · West Jefferson Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Joliet Street

    53 m · 7 sec · Joliet Street

  19. 19

    Turn right

    83 m · 20 sec

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Pekin 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
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
4 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
88.1 mi · 66%
Radio City Drive
35.9 mi · 27%
I 80 East
5.8 mi · 4%
Center Street
0.8 mi · 1%
North 8th Street
0.57 mi
North 5th Street
0.4 mi
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Merge slight left

86.7 mi · 01h 33m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 06m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.9 mi
104.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chenoa
01h 03m from Pekin
Leave By
2:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Pekin and Mostly Sunny near Joliet.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 132.6 miles (213.4 km) and usually takes 02h 06m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Chenoa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.3 miles from Pekin and 66.3 miles from Joliet.

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

The direct path is about 104.7 miles (168.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.65 one way or $35.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Pekin and Mostly Sunny near Joliet.

Stop Ideas Near Chenoa

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Chenoa, 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 Chenoa.

RAIL

Pontiac station

17 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Uptown Station

34 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Dwight station

46 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Gilman

61 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Pekin and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 104.7 mi (168.5 km).

Pekin

#1 Pekin

County seat of Tazewell County, Illinois

Population31,808
Coordinates40.5675400, -89.6406600
Altitude153
CountryUnited States
Joliet

#2 Joliet

The second most populous city in Will County, Illinois.

Population85,583
Coordinates41.5251900, -88.0834000
Altitude165
CountryUnited States
Start: South 9th Street (-89.640848, 40.567532)
End: (-88.083409, 41.525419)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 213 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 39m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.68 gal
17.72 L · about $17.65
Round trip
$35.30
9.36 gal · 35.44 L
Estimated CO2
41.6 kg one way
Round trip: 83.2 kg / 183 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.65 $35.30
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.90 $39.81
Premium $4.65 $21.78 $43.56
Diesel $5.30 $24.82 $49.65

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

There is no time difference between Pekin and Joliet. The current time is 01:58:18.

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.