How far is Carthage, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Carthage, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 298.5 miles (480.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 217.2 miles (349.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 36m 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 05h 48m.
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 Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carthage and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage and Waukegan.
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1
Start on North Madison Street
19 m · 7 sec · North Madison Street
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2
Turn left onto Buchanan Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Buchanan Street
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3
Continue on E County Road 1500
3055 ft · 52 sec · E County Road 1500
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4
Take the ramp slight left
26 m · 4 sec
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5
Turn left
1915 ft · 53 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
21.2 mi · 25 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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7
Take the exit slight right
1 km · 56 sec
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8
Turn right
3.4 mi · 7 min
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9
Turn left onto North Johnson Street
576 ft · 16 sec · North Johnson Street
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10
Turn slight right onto West Calhoun Street
848 ft · 30 sec · West Calhoun Street
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11
Turn left onto North Lafayette Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Lafayette Street
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12
Continue on East 1200th Street
1.2 mi · 1 min · East 1200th Street
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13
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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14
Continue on South Monmouth Street
1.2 km · 2 min · South Monmouth Street
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15
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
45.2 mi · 53 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
31.9 mi · 35 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
135 mi · 2 hr 29 min
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
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21
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
35.2 mi · 43 min · Tri-State Tollway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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24
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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25
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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26
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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27
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carthage 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 88 East
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
135 mi · 02h 29m
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 then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Carthage 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 Carthage to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 298.5 miles (480.4 km) and usually takes 05h 48m 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?
Round Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 149.1 miles from Carthage and 149.4 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 217.2 miles (349.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 81.3 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 5:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.71 one way or $79.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Carthage and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Round Grove
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 Round Grove.
Princeton
Kewanee
Moline, Illinois
Rock Island, IL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carthage and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 217.25 mi (349.63 km).
#1 Carthage
City in and county seat of Hancock County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,419 |
| Coordinates | 40.4164300, -91.1362500 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| 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: 480 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.71 | $79.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.78 | $89.57 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.01 | $98.01 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.85 | $111.70 |
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.