How far is Cambridge, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Cambridge, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 193.2 miles (310.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 141.3 miles (227.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 52m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in Grundy County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cambridge and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge and Waukegan.
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1
Start on North Prospect Street
764 ft · 39 sec · North Prospect Street
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2
Turn left onto West Court Street
2201 ft · 37 sec · West Court Street
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3
Continue on North 1025th Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · North 1025th Avenue
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4
Turn left
9.1 mi · 16 min
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5
Take the ramp right
787 ft · 19 sec
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6
Merge slight left
106.8 mi · 1 hr 54 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago
1892 ft · 54 sec
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8
Merge slight left
26.6 mi · 33 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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15
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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16
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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17
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cambridge and Waukegan.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
North 1025th Avenue
Merge slight left
107 mi · 01h 54m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cambridge 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 Cambridge to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 193.2 miles (310.9 km) and usually takes 03h 52m 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?
Nettle Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.4 miles from Cambridge and 96.7 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 141.3 miles (227.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.9 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 9:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.72 one way or $51.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Cambridge and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Nettle Creek
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 Nettle Creek.
Plano
Dwight station
Joliet Transportation Center
Mendota station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cambridge and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 141.33 mi (227.45 km).
#1 Cambridge
Village in Henry County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,051 |
| Coordinates | 41.3036500, -90.1929000 |
| Altitude | 247 |
| 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: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 311 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.72 | $51.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.01 | $58.01 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.74 | $63.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.17 | $72.35 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.