How far is Carlyle, IL from Waukegan, IL?

The driving distance from Carlyle, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 321.8 miles (517.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 271.5 miles (436.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 22m 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
321.81 mi
05h 11m
Flight
271.46 mi
436.87 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Carlyle.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
271.46 mi
Kilometers
436.87 km
Flight Time
00h 32m

Driving Distance

Road route
321.81 mi
Kilometers
517.91 km
Drive Time
05h 11m

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 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukegan
Thu, May 14, 1:41 AM CDT
Return by in Carlyle
Thu, May 14, 6:53 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Carlyle
2026-05-13T20:30
Arrive Waukegan
Thu, May 14, 1:41 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:11 AM to 1:11 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
6:38 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Carlyle
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
Rantoul
IL

Village in Illinois

From Carlyle
158.1 mi
02h 35m
To Waukegan
163.7 mi
02h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 17 mph NW
Destination
62°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Carlyle and Waukegan.

  1. 1

    Start on Franklin Street

    14.1 mi · 16 min · Franklin Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto N Mine St

    1107 ft · 14 sec · N Mine St

  3. 3

    Continue on North Mine Street

    106 m · 5 sec · North Mine Street

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right

    41 m · 4 sec

  5. 5

    Turn right

    7.8 mi · 9 min

  6. 6

    Turn left

    2149 ft · 54 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    46.6 mi · 50 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago

    195.2 mi · 3 hr 34 min

  9. 9

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  11. 11

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway

  12. 12

    Continue on Edens Expressway

    13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Skokie Valley Road

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road

  15. 15

    Continue on South Skokie Highway

    8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East

    1323 ft · 36 sec

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto Belvidere Road

    1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road

  18. 18

    Continue on Belvidere Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

    2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto South Jackson Street

    2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
21 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 North
195 mi · 61%
North Mine Street
46.7 mi · 15%
Franklin Street
14.1 mi · 4%
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 4%
South Skokie Highway
8.22 mi · 3%
Kennedy Expressway
8.16 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 57 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago

195 mi · 03h 34m

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 11m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+50.3 mi
271.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rantoul
02h 35m from Carlyle
Leave By
6:38 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Carlyle 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 Carlyle to Waukegan?

The road trip is about 321.8 miles (517.9 km) and usually takes 05h 11m 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?

Rantoul is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.1 miles from Carlyle and 163.7 miles from Waukegan.

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

The direct path is about 271.5 miles (436.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.3 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 6:38 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.84 one way or $85.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carlyle and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.

Stop Ideas Near Rantoul

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Rantoul, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Rantoul

West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
RAIL

Illinois Terminal

23 mi away
45 East University Ave.
BUS

Danville, Illinois

49 mi away
379 Lynch Road
RAIL

Gilman

52 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Carlyle and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 271.46 mi (436.87 km).

Carlyle

#1 Carlyle

City in Illinois, United States

Population3,148
Coordinates38.6103300, -89.3725800
Altitude139
CountryUnited States
Waukegan

#2 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Start: Franklin Street (-89.372579, 38.610173)
End: North Jackson Street (-87.844706, 42.363629)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 518 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.36 gal
42.99 L · about $42.84
Round trip
$85.68
22.72 gal · 85.98 L
Estimated CO2
101 kg one way
Round trip: 201.9 kg / 445 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $42.84 $85.68
Mid-grade $4.25 $48.31 $96.63
Premium $4.65 $52.87 $105.74
Diesel $5.30 $60.25 $120.51

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 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Carlyle and Waukegan. The current time is 20:30:51.

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.