How far is Pontiac, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance from Pontiac, IL to Joliet, IL is about 60.3 miles (97 km), with a travel time of about 01h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 52.8 miles (85 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 01m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Village in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Scattered Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Pontiac and Joliet.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pontiac and Joliet.
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1
Start on North Mill Street
33 m · 8 sec · North Mill Street
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2
Turn left onto West Howard Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West Howard Street
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3
Turn right onto Old Route 66
2100 ft · 46 sec · Old Route 66
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4
Turn left onto West Custer Avenue
682 ft · 17 sec · West Custer Avenue
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5
Continue on North 1500 East Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · North 1500 East Road
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Joliet
2198 ft · 54 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
49.2 mi · 53 min · Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Indiana
1.2 km · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
5.1 mi · 6 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Center Street
1.3 km · 2 min
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11
Continue on South Center Street
1401 ft · 38 sec · South Center Street
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12
Continue on Hickory Street
1164 ft · 36 sec · Hickory Street
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13
Turn right onto West Jefferson Street
1572 ft · 52 sec · West Jefferson Street
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14
Turn left onto Joliet Street
53 m · 7 sec · Joliet Street
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15
Turn right
83 m · 20 sec
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Pontiac 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.
Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
Merge slight left onto Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
49.2 mi · 00h 53m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers leaving Pontiac and Scattered Rain Showers near Joliet.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Pontiac to Joliet?
The road trip is about 60.3 miles (97 km) and usually takes 01h 01m 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 30.1 miles from Pontiac and 30.2 miles from Joliet.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 52.8 miles (85 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:26 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.00 one way or $20.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers around Pontiac and Scattered Rain Showers near Joliet.
Stop Ideas Near Gardner
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 Gardner.
Dwight station
Kankakee
Joliet Transportation Center
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Pontiac and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 52.8 mi (84.98 km).
#1 Pontiac
Pontiac is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.8808700, -88.6297800 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| 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: (-88.083409, 41.525419)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 97 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.69 | $10.00 | $20.00 |
| Mid-grade | $5.33 | $11.35 | $22.71 |
| Premium | $5.88 | $12.51 | $25.03 |
| Diesel | $6.58 | $14.01 | $28.02 |
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