How far is Carbon Cliff, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Carbon Cliff, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 185.7 miles (298.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144 miles (231.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 12m 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 36m.
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.
Village in Illinois, US
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carbon Cliff and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carbon Cliff and Waukegan.
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1
Start on South 2nd Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · South 2nd Avenue
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2
Take the ramp slight left
116 m · 11 sec
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3
Turn slight left
3.2 mi · 5 min
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4
Continue straight
1.2 km · 55 sec
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5
Keep slight left
1799 ft · 24 sec
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6
Continue straight
43.8 mi · 47 min
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7
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
91 mi · 1 hr 41 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
35.2 mi · 43 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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14
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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15
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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16
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carbon Cliff and Waukegan.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
91 mi · 01h 41m
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.
Sunny leaving Carbon Cliff and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carbon Cliff to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 185.7 miles (298.9 km) and usually takes 03h 36m 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?
Malta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.7 miles from Carbon Cliff and 93 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144 miles (231.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.7 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 9:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.70 one way or $49.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carbon Cliff and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Malta
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 Malta.
Rockford, Illinois
Plano
Mendota station
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carbon Cliff and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 143.97 mi (231.7 km).
#1 Carbon Cliff
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,932 |
| Coordinates | 41.4947600, -90.3906800 |
| Altitude | 184 |
| 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: 299 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.70 | $49.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.86 | $55.71 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.48 | $60.97 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.74 | $69.48 |
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.