How far is Bunker Hill, IL from Waukegan, IL?

The driving distance from Bunker Hill, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 297.3 miles (478.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 254.6 miles (409.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
297.35 mi
05h 42m
Flight
254.59 mi
409.72 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bunker Hill.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
254.59 mi
Kilometers
409.72 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
297.35 mi
Kilometers
478.54 km
Drive Time
05h 42m

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 05h 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukegan
Wed, Apr 15, 2:08 AM CDT
Return by in Bunker Hill
Wed, Apr 15, 7:51 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bunker Hill
2026-04-14T20:25
Arrive Waukegan
Wed, Apr 15, 2:08 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:43 AM to 1:43 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:34 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bunker Hill
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Lexington
IL

City in McLean County, Illinois, United States

From Bunker Hill
148.7 mi
02h 51m
To Waukegan
148.6 mi
02h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 17 mph S
Destination
73°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bunker Hill and Waukegan.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bunker Hill and Waukegan.

  1. 1

    Start on West Warren Street

    12 m · 3 sec · West Warren Street

  2. 2

    Continue on East Warren Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · East Warren Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Staunton Bunker Hill Road

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Staunton Bunker Hill Road

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Illinois Route 4

    1 km · 56 sec · Illinois Route 4

  5. 5

    Continue on North Edwardsville Street

    2823 ft · 49 sec · North Edwardsville Street

  6. 6

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West North Street

    55 m · 8 sec · West North Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto North Hibbard Street

    115 m · 12 sec · North Hibbard Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · West Main Street

  9. 9

    Continue on Staunton Road

    1 mi · 2 min · Staunton Road

  10. 10

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 55 North: Springfield

    39 m · 6 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto I 55 North: Springfield

    2069 ft · 50 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    85.7 mi · 1 hr 33 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago

    29.4 mi · 31 min

  14. 14

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

    120.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin

    1.6 mi · 3 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin

    1694 ft · 41 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road

    1923 ft · 47 sec

  20. 20

    Turn straight onto Belvidere Road

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road

  21. 21

    Continue on Belvidere Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

    2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn left onto South Jackson Street

    2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bunker Hill and Waukegan.

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
24 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
236 mi · 79%
Tri-State Tollway
41.8 mi · 14%
Staunton Bunker Hill Road
7.88 mi · 3%
Belvidere Road
1.87 mi · 1%
Belvidere Street
1.65 mi · 1%
I 294 Tollway North
1.56 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

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

121 mi · 02h 14m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 42m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+42.7 mi
254.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lexington
02h 51m from Bunker Hill
Leave By
5:34 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Bunker Hill and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Waukegan.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bunker Hill to Waukegan?

The road trip is about 297.3 miles (478.5 km) and usually takes 05h 42m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 148.7 miles from Bunker Hill and 148.6 miles from Waukegan.

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

The direct path is about 254.6 miles (409.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:34 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.56 one way or $79.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Bunker Hill and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Waukegan.

Stop Ideas Near Lexington

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 Lexington and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 11.8 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Meeting point 13.7 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 13.3 mi away

El Paso City Water Works

El Paso , IL
301 W Front St, El Paso, IL 61738
Water utility company

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Uptown Station

22 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

29 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Dwight station

58 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Rantoul

64 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bunker Hill and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 254.59 mi (409.72 km).

Bunker Hill

#1 Bunker Hill

City in Illinois, USA

Population1,664
Coordinates39.0428200, -89.9517700
Altitude202
CountryUnited States
Waukegan

#2 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Start: Bunker Hill (-89.95177, 39.04282)
End: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 479 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.49 gal
39.72 L · about $39.56
Round trip
$79.12
20.98 gal · 79.44 L
Estimated CO2
93.2 kg one way
Round trip: 186.4 kg / 411 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $39.56 $79.12
Mid-grade $4.25 $44.61 $89.23
Premium $4.65 $48.82 $97.64
Diesel $5.30 $55.64 $111.28

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

There is no time difference between Bunker Hill and Waukegan. The current time is 20:25:55.

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.