How far is Buffalo Grove, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Buffalo Grove, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 23.4 miles (37.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15.8 miles (25.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 34m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buffalo Grove and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo Grove and Waukegan.
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1
Start on Aptakisic Road
18 m · 5 sec · Aptakisic Road
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2
Turn right onto South Buffalo Grove Road
822 ft · 20 sec · South Buffalo Grove Road
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3
Turn right onto Lake Cook Road
709 ft · 14 sec · Lake Cook Road
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4
Continue on East Lake Cook Road
4.5 mi · 8 min · East Lake Cook Road
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5
Turn left onto I 94 Toll West: Wisconsin
55 m · 6 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 Toll West: Wisconsin
1995 ft · 31 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
13.4 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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9
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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10
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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11
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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12
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buffalo Grove and Waukegan.
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.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
13.4 mi · 00h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Buffalo Grove and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buffalo Grove to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 23.4 miles (37.6 km) and usually takes 00h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mettawa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.7 miles from Buffalo Grove and 11.7 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 15.8 miles (25.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.09 one way or $6.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Buffalo Grove and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Mettawa
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 Mettawa.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buffalo Grove and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 15.8 mi (25.42 km).
#1 Buffalo Grove
Village in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 41,496 |
| Coordinates | 42.1514100, -87.9597900 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Waukegan
The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.
| Population | 85,453 |
| Coordinates | 42.3636300, -87.8447900 |
| Altitude | 199 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Jackson Street (-87.844706, 42.363629)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 38 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.09 | $6.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.49 | $6.97 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.82 | $7.63 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.35 | $8.70 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.