How far is South Chicago, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance from South Chicago, IL to Joliet, IL is about 39 miles (62.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31.1 miles (50 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 45m 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 00h 52m.
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.
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Chicago and Joliet.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Chicago and Joliet.
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1
Start on the route
66 m · 18 sec
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2
Turn right onto East 86th Street
51 m · 13 sec · East 86th Street
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3
Turn left onto South Muskegon Avenue
667 ft · 31 sec · South Muskegon Avenue
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4
Turn right onto East 87th Street
3.6 mi · 7 min · East 87th Street
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5
Turn left onto South Lafayette Avenue
134 m · 11 sec · South Lafayette Avenue
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 94 East
1223 ft · 30 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
1.3 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
13.4 mi · 18 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Iowa
2386 ft · 45 sec
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10
Merge slight left
18 mi · 22 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Richards Street
787 ft · 19 sec
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12
Keep slight right
81 m · 6 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Richards Street
1106 ft · 38 sec · Richards Street
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14
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
1927 ft · 1 min · 4th Avenue
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15
Turn sharp right onto South Chicago Street
2401 ft · 1 min · South Chicago Street
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Chicago Street
83 m · 13 sec · Chicago Street
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17
Turn left onto West Washington Street
771 ft · 25 sec · West Washington Street
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18
Turn right onto Joliet Street
158 m · 18 sec · Joliet Street
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19
Turn right
83 m · 20 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Chicago 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 80 West
Merge slight left
18 mi · 00h 22m
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 Sunny leaving South Chicago 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 South Chicago to Joliet?
The road trip is about 39 miles (62.7 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Country Club Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.1 miles from South Chicago and 19.8 miles from Joliet.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.1 miles (50 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.9 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 4:44 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.17 one way or $10.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around South Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Joliet.
Stop Ideas Near Country Club Hills
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 Country Club Hills.
Homewood
Dyer station
Hammond–Whiting station
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Chicago and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 31.09 mi (50.03 km).
#1 South Chicago
Former township in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 28,095 |
| Coordinates | 41.7397700, -87.5542500 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| 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: 63 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.17 | $10.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.83 | $11.65 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.38 | $12.75 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.27 | $14.53 |
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.