How far is Virden, IL from Joliet, IL?

The driving distance from Virden, IL to Joliet, IL is about 188.3 miles (303 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 165.5 miles (266.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 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.
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
188.29 mi
02h 52m
Flight
165.5 mi
266.34 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Virden.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
165.5 mi
Kilometers
266.34 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
188.29 mi
Kilometers
303.03 km
Drive Time
02h 52m

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 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Joliet
Tue, May 12, 6:59 PM CDT
Return by in Virden
Tue, May 12, 9:51 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Virden
2026-05-12T16:06
Arrive Joliet
Tue, May 12, 6:59 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:53 AM to 12:53 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:44 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Virden
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
Normal
IL

Town in McLean County, Illinois, United States

From Virden
94.1 mi
01h 26m
To Joliet
94.3 mi
01h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Tuesday

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 20 mph S
Destination
75°F
Tuesday

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Virden and Joliet.

  1. 1

    Start on North Springfield Street

    6.1 mi · 10 min · North Springfield Street

  2. 2

    Continue straight

    123 m · 20 sec

  3. 3

    Turn slight right onto West Jackson Street

    6.1 mi · 10 min · West Jackson Street

  4. 4

    Turn left

    2260 ft · 55 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    44.7 mi · 49 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago

    29.4 mi · 31 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

    93.9 mi · 1 hr 41 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Indiana

    1.2 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    5.1 mi · 6 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Center Street

    1.3 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Continue on South Center Street

    1401 ft · 38 sec · South Center Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Hickory Street

    1164 ft · 36 sec · Hickory Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West Jefferson Street

    1572 ft · 52 sec · West Jefferson Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Joliet Street

    53 m · 7 sec · Joliet Street

  15. 15

    Turn right

    83 m · 20 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Virden 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
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
123 mi · 65%
West Jackson Street
50.8 mi · 27%
North Springfield Street
6.17 mi · 3%
I 80 East
5.8 mi · 3%
Center Street
0.8 mi
West Jefferson Street
0.3 mi
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

93.9 mi · 01h 41m

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 52m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.8 mi
165.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Normal
01h 26m from Virden
Leave By
12:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Virden and Mostly Cloudy then 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 Virden to Joliet?

The road trip is about 188.3 miles (303 km) and usually takes 02h 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?

Normal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.1 miles from Virden and 94.3 miles from Joliet.

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

The direct path is about 165.5 miles (266.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.8 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 12:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.04 one way or $50.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Virden and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Joliet.

Stop Ideas Near Normal

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Normal and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 2.9 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Meeting point 4.5 mi away

City of Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Rating 3.6/5 8 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 4.5 mi away

Bloomington Finance Department

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
City tax office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Normal.

RAIL

Uptown Station

1 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

50 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Lincoln

52 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

61 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Virden and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 165.5 mi (266.34 km).

Virden

#1 Virden

City in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States

Population3,302
Coordinates39.5008900, -89.7678700
Altitude206
CountryUnited States
Joliet

#2 Joliet

The second most populous city in Will County, Illinois.

Population85,583
Coordinates41.5251900, -88.0834000
Altitude165
CountryUnited States
Start: North Springfield Street (-89.767928, 39.500898)
End: (-88.083409, 41.525419)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 303 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.64 gal
25.15 L · about $25.04
Round trip
$50.08
13.28 gal · 50.3 L
Estimated CO2
59 kg one way
Round trip: 118 kg / 260 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.04 $50.08
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.24 $56.48
Premium $4.65 $30.90 $61.81
Diesel $5.30 $35.22 $70.44

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 · May 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Virden and Joliet. The current time is 16:06:53.

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.