How far is Plainfield, IL from Pontiac, IL?

The driving distance from Plainfield, IL to Pontiac, IL is about 64.4 miles (103.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 56.1 miles (90.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 36m 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
64.36 mi
01h 18m
Flight
56.1 mi
90.28 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Plainfield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
56.1 mi
Kilometers
90.28 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
64.36 mi
Kilometers
103.57 km
Drive Time
01h 18m

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 01h 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Pontiac
Fri, Oct 16, 11:36 AM CDT
Return by in Plainfield
Fri, Oct 16, 12:54 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Plainfield
2026-10-16T10:18
Arrive Pontiac
Fri, Oct 16, 11:36 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:18 AM to 11:18 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:54 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Plainfield
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
Gardner
IL

Village in Illinois, United States

From Plainfield
32.2 mi
00h 39m
To Pontiac
32.2 mi
00h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Friday

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Oct 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW
Destination
54°F
Friday

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Oct 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Plainfield and Pontiac.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Plainfield and Pontiac.

  1. 1

    Start on West Hazelcrest Drive

    94 m · 16 sec · West Hazelcrest Drive

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Division Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · North Division Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North Joliet Road

    2.2 mi · 5 min · North Joliet Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward I 55 South: Bloomington

    1306 ft · 32 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    56.3 mi · 1 hr 2 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 23: Pontiac, Streator

    1740 ft · 30 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on IL 23: Pontiac, Streator

    34 m · 3 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto North 1500 East Road

    2.4 mi · 4 min · North 1500 East Road

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Old Route 66

    2126 ft · 48 sec · Old Route 66

  10. 10

    Turn left onto West Howard Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · West Howard Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    95 m · 8 sec · North Main Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto West Madison Street

    92 m · 15 sec · West Madison Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Mill Street

    62 m · 4 sec · North Mill Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Mill Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Plainfield and Pontiac.

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
14 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
56.5 mi · 88%
North 1500 East Road
2.35 mi · 4%
North Joliet Road
2.23 mi · 3%
North Division Street
1.48 mi · 2%
West Howard Street
0.81 mi · 1%
Old Route 66
0.4 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 55 South

Merge slight left

56.3 mi · 01h 02m

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
01h 18m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.3 mi
56.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gardner
00h 39m from Plainfield
Leave By
3:54 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Scattered Rain Showers leaving Plainfield and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers near Pontiac.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Plainfield to Pontiac?

The road trip is about 64.4 miles (103.6 km) and usually takes 01h 18m 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?

Gardner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 32.2 miles from Plainfield and 32.2 miles from Pontiac.

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

The direct path is about 56.1 miles (90.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:54 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.66 one way or $21.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around Plainfield and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers near Pontiac.

Stop Ideas Near Gardner

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

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

RAIL

Dwight station

14 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Kankakee

38 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

42 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Pontiac station

44 mi away
721 West Washington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Plainfield and Pontiac. Straight-line distance: 56.1 mi (90.28 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Plainfield

Plainfield is a place in Illinois, United States.

Population0
Coordinates41.6269700, -88.2039500
Altitude188
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Pontiac

Pontiac is a place in Illinois, United States.

Population0
Coordinates40.8808700, -88.6297800
Altitude196
CountryUnited States
Start: Plainfield (-88.20395, 41.62697)
End: Pontiac (-88.62978, 40.88087)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 104 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.27 gal
8.6 L · about $10.66
Round trip
$21.31
4.54 gal · 17.2 L
Estimated CO2
20.2 kg one way
Round trip: 40.3 kg / 89 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.69 $10.66 $21.31
Mid-grade $5.33 $12.10 $24.20
Premium $5.88 $13.34 $26.67
Diesel $6.58 $14.93 $29.86

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 · Oct 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Plainfield and Pontiac. The current time is 10:18:43.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.