How far is Pontoon Beach, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance from Pontoon Beach, IL to Joliet, IL is about 249.5 miles (401.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 220 miles (354 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 24m 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 03h 42m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Pontoon Beach and Joliet.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pontoon Beach and Joliet.
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1
Start on the route
4 m · 3 sec
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2
Turn right
17 m · 10 sec
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3
Turn left onto Pontoon Road
2654 ft · 55 sec · Pontoon Road
-
4
Turn left
1.7 mi · 3 min
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 270 East: Effingham
1927 ft · 47 sec
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6
Merge slight left
8.4 mi · 10 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
1668 ft · 47 sec
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8
Merge slight left
107.2 mi · 1 hr 56 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
93.9 mi · 1 hr 41 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Indiana
1.2 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
5.1 mi · 6 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Center Street
1.3 km · 2 min
-
14
Continue on South Center Street
1401 ft · 38 sec · South Center Street
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15
Continue on Hickory Street
1164 ft · 36 sec · Hickory Street
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16
Turn right onto West Jefferson Street
1572 ft · 52 sec · West Jefferson Street
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17
Turn left onto Joliet Street
53 m · 7 sec · Joliet Street
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18
Turn right
83 m · 20 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Pontoon Beach 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 55 North
Merge slight left
107 mi · 01h 56m
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 Pontoon Beach 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 Pontoon Beach to Joliet?
The road trip is about 249.5 miles (401.6 km) and usually takes 03h 42m 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?
Lawndale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.6 miles from Pontoon Beach and 124.9 miles from Joliet.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 220 miles (354 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.5 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 9:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.18 one way or $66.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Pontoon Beach and Mostly Sunny near Joliet.
Stop Ideas Near Lawndale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Lincoln
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lawndale.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Springfield station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Pontoon Beach and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 219.95 mi (353.97 km).
#1 Pontoon Beach
Town
| Population | 5,655 |
| Coordinates | 38.7317200, -90.0803800 |
| Altitude | 127 |
| 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: 402 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.18 | $66.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.43 | $74.85 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.96 | $81.91 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.68 | $93.35 |
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.