How far is Carlinville, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Carlinville, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 278.9 miles (448.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 238.2 miles (383.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 51m 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 04h 25m.
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.
City in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carlinville and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlinville and Waukegan.
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1
Start on South Side Square
640 ft · 12 sec · South Side Square
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2
Exit the rotary onto North Broad Street
1 km · 56 sec · North Broad Street
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3
Turn slight right
13.7 mi · 20 min
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4
Turn right onto West South Street
2719 ft · 54 sec · West South Street
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5
Continue on Farmersville Road
3.8 mi · 7 min · Farmersville Road
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6
Continue on Mine Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Mine Avenue
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7
Continue on Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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8
Continue on Mine Avenue
626 ft · 13 sec · Mine Avenue
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9
Turn left
2241 ft · 56 sec
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10
Merge slight left
54.7 mi · 59 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
120.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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18
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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19
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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20
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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21
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carlinville and Waukegan.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Carlinville and Sunny near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carlinville to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 278.9 miles (448.9 km) and usually takes 04h 25m 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?
Chenoa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137.9 miles from Carlinville and 141 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 238.2 miles (383.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.7 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 8:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.11 one way or $74.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Carlinville and Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Chenoa
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 Chenoa.
Pontiac station
Uptown Station
Dwight station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carlinville and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 238.19 mi (383.33 km).
#1 Carlinville
City in Illinois
| Population | 5,441 |
| Coordinates | 39.2797700, -89.8817700 |
| Altitude | 191 |
| 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: 449 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.11 | $74.21 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $41.85 | $83.70 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $45.80 | $91.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $52.19 | $104.38 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.