How far is Wilmette, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance from Wilmette, IL to Joliet, IL is about 53.5 miles (86.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.1 miles (67.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 26m 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 13m.
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 Downers Grove, Lisle, and York Townships, DuPage County, Illinois, US
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 Wilmette and Joliet.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmette and Joliet.
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1
Start on Wilmette Avenue
20 m · 9 sec · Wilmette Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Ridge Road
1211 ft · 34 sec · Ridge Road
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3
Continue on Gross Point Road
4.2 mi · 9 min · Gross Point Road
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4
Turn straight onto New Gross Point Road
531 ft · 15 sec · New Gross Point Road
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5
Turn right onto Howard Street
1222 ft · 35 sec · Howard Street
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6
Turn left onto North Lehigh Avenue
37 m · 2 sec · North Lehigh Avenue
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7
Turn right onto West Gross Point Road
1.4 km · 2 min · West Gross Point Road
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8
Turn slight right onto West Touhy Avenue
4 mi · 8 min · West Touhy Avenue
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9
Turn left onto South Des Plaines River Road
56 m · 4 sec · South Des Plaines River Road
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10
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana
2265 ft · 55 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
8.9 mi · 12 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1.5 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1251 ft · 31 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 West Toll: Aurora
2633 ft · 50 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.2 km · 60 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 South: Joliet
1.2 km · 56 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.9 mi · 23 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Southwest Highway
2125 ft · 52 sec
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21
Turn right onto Maple Road
5.7 mi · 11 min · Maple Road
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22
Turn left onto North Ottawa Street
2196 ft · 1 min · North Ottawa Street
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23
Turn right
34 m · 8 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmette and Joliet.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.9 mi · 00h 23m
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 Wilmette 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 Wilmette to Joliet?
The road trip is about 53.5 miles (86.1 km) and usually takes 01h 13m 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?
Downers Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.4 miles from Wilmette and 26 miles from Joliet.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.1 miles (67.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.4 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 4:04 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.13 one way or $14.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Wilmette and Mostly Sunny near Joliet.
Stop Ideas Near Downers Grove
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 Downers Grove.
La Grange Road
Naperville
Summit
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmette and Joliet. Straight-line distance: 42.12 mi (67.78 km).
#1 Wilmette
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 26,819 |
| Coordinates | 42.0722500, -87.7228400 |
| Altitude | 194 |
| 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: 86 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.13 | $14.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.04 | $16.08 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $8.80 | $17.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.02 | $20.05 |
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.