How far is South Pekin, IL from Joliet, IL?

The driving distance from South Pekin, IL to Joliet, IL is about 138.9 miles (223.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 108.4 miles (174.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 23m 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
138.9 mi
02h 41m
Flight
108.43 mi
174.5 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South Pekin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
108.43 mi
Kilometers
174.5 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
138.9 mi
Kilometers
223.53 km
Drive Time
02h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Joliet
Tue, Jun 9, 1:12 AM CDT
Return by in South Pekin
Tue, Jun 9, 3:54 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Pekin
2026-06-08T22:31
Arrive Joliet
Tue, Jun 9, 1:12 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:42 AM to 12:42 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:06 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in South 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 South Pekin
69.4 mi
01h 20m
To Joliet
69.5 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, Jun 8 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph SSE
Destination
67°F
Overnight

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, Jun 8 4:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    1 km · 2 min · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right

    5.5 mi · 10 min

  3. 3

    Turn slight right onto IL 29

    51 m · 6 sec

  4. 4

    Turn slight right onto Margaret Street

    1266 ft · 27 sec · Margaret Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto North 5th Street

    2478 ft · 42 sec · North 5th Street

  6. 6

    Continue on North 8th Street

    3002 ft · 51 sec · North 8th Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Radio City Drive

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Radio City Drive

  8. 8

    Take the ramp slight right

    2974 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    4.8 mi · 5 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    27 mi · 29 min

  11. 11

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

    1.4 mi · 3 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    86.7 mi · 1 hr 33 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Indiana

    1.2 km · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    5.1 mi · 6 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Center Street

    1.3 km · 2 min

  16. 16

    Continue on South Center Street

    1401 ft · 38 sec · South Center Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Hickory Street

    1164 ft · 36 sec · Hickory Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto West Jefferson Street

    1572 ft · 52 sec · West Jefferson Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Joliet Street

    53 m · 7 sec · Joliet Street

  20. 20

    Turn right

    83 m · 20 sec

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between South 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
21 steps
7 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 · 63%
Radio City Drive
35.9 mi · 26%
I 80 East
5.8 mi · 4%
Center Street
0.8 mi · 1%
East Main Street
0.64 mi
North 8th Street
0.57 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 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.5 mi
108.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chenoa
01h 20m from South Pekin
Leave By
1:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving South Pekin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Joliet.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 138.9 miles (223.5 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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 69.4 miles from South Pekin and 69.5 miles from Joliet.

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

The direct path is about 108.4 miles (174.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.5 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 1:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.48 one way or $36.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around South Pekin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 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 South Pekin and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 108.43 mi (174.5 km).

South Pekin

#1 South Pekin

Village in Illinois, USA

Population1,081
Coordinates40.4944800, -89.6517700
Altitude157
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 Pekin (-89.65177, 40.49448)
End: Joliet (-88.0834, 41.52519)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 224 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.9 gal
18.55 L · about $18.48
Round trip
$36.96
9.8 gal · 37.1 L
Estimated CO2
43.5 kg one way
Round trip: 87.1 kg / 192 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.48 $36.96
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.84 $41.68
Premium $4.65 $22.80 $45.61
Diesel $5.30 $25.99 $51.98

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 · Jun 09, 2026

There is no time difference between South Pekin and Joliet. The current time is 22:31:00.

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.