How far is Cary, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Cary, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 28.3 miles (45.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 22.7 miles (36.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 00h 48m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Lake County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Frost then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Waukegan.
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1
Start on the route
13 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn left onto North 1st Street
1164 ft · 56 sec · North 1st Street
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3
Turn left onto South Northwest Highway
1.9 mi · 3 min · South Northwest Highway
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4
Turn left onto State Route 22
1.2 mi · 2 min · State Route 22
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5
Turn left onto North Kelsey Road
2 mi · 4 min · North Kelsey Road
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6
Continue on North Kelsey Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Kelsey Road
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7
At the end of the road, turn left
1.6 mi · 3 min
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8
Continue on Barrington Road
2852 ft · 1 min · Barrington Road
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9
Turn right onto West Liberty Street
3.4 mi · 6 min · West Liberty Street
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10
Turn right
1.9 mi · 3 min
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11
Continue straight
46 m · 4 sec
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12
Turn left onto Schank Avenue
797 ft · 24 sec · Schank Avenue
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13
Continue on Ivanhoe Road
3.7 mi · 6 min · Ivanhoe Road
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14
Continue on South Atkinson Road
2863 ft · 60 sec · South Atkinson Road
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15
Turn right onto East Belvidere Road
1 mi · 2 min · East Belvidere Road
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16
Continue on Belvidere Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · Belvidere Road
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17
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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18
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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19
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary and Waukegan.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Belvidere Road
Continue on Belvidere Road
6.3 mi · 00h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Areas Of Frost then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Cary 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 Cary to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 28.3 miles (45.5 km) and usually takes 00h 48m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mundelein is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.4 miles from Cary and 13.9 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 22.7 miles (36.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.77 one way or $7.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Cary and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Mundelein
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 Mundelein.
Glenview station
Sturtevant station
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 22.67 mi (36.49 km).
#1 Cary
Village in Illinois, United States
| Population | 17,929 |
| Coordinates | 42.2119700, -88.2381400 |
| Altitude | 251 |
| 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: 45 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.77 | $7.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.25 | $8.51 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.65 | $9.31 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.30 | $10.61 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.