How far is Catlin, IL from Waukegan, IL?

The driving distance from Catlin, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 209.7 miles (337.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 159 miles (255.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 28m 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
209.64 mi
04h 14m
Flight
158.99 mi
255.87 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Catlin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
158.99 mi
Kilometers
255.87 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
209.64 mi
Kilometers
337.38 km
Drive Time
04h 14m

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 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukegan
Thu, Apr 23, 6:24 AM CDT
Return by in Catlin
Thu, Apr 23, 10:38 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Catlin
2026-04-23T02:10
Arrive Waukegan
Thu, Apr 23, 6:24 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:14 AM to 12:14 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
8:32 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Catlin
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
Otto
IL

Township in Kankakee County, Illinois

From Catlin
104.8 mi
02h 07m
To Waukegan
104.8 mi
02h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 24 mph S
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Vermilion Street

    107 m · 15 sec · East Vermilion Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Paris Street

    1533 ft · 42 sec · North Paris Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Catlin Tilton Road

    3.1 mi · 8 min · Catlin Tilton Road

  4. 4

    Continue on West 5th Street

    2559 ft · 1 min · West 5th Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto North G Street

    1334 ft · 42 sec · North G Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto 1st Street

    42 m · 4 sec · 1st Street

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 74 West: Champaign

    961 ft · 12 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    31.8 mi · 35 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit straight toward Neil Street

    1391 ft · 34 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on North Neil Street

    752 ft · 26 sec · North Neil Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto East Marketview Drive

    1336 ft · 38 sec · East Marketview Drive

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North Market Street

    3 mi · 4 min · North Market Street

  13. 13

    Take the ramp right toward I-57 North: Kankakee

    1642 ft · 40 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    117.8 mi · 2 hr 11 min

  15. 15

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  16. 16

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

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

  17. 17

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway

  18. 18

    Continue on Edens Expressway

    13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

  20. 20

    Continue on Skokie Valley Road

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road

  21. 21

    Continue on South Skokie Highway

    8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East

    1323 ft · 36 sec

  23. 23

    Turn straight onto Belvidere Road

    1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road

  24. 24

    Continue on Belvidere Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

    2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn left onto South Jackson Street

    2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
27 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-57 North
118 mi · 56%
I 74 West
32 mi · 15%
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 6%
South Skokie Highway
8.22 mi · 4%
Kennedy Expressway
8.16 mi · 4%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I-57 North

Merge slight left

118 mi · 02h 11m

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
04h 14m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+50.7 mi
159 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Otto
02h 07m from Catlin
Leave By
8:32 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Catlin 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 Catlin to Waukegan?

The road trip is about 209.7 miles (337.4 km) and usually takes 04h 14m 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?

Otto is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104.8 miles from Catlin and 104.8 miles from Waukegan.

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

The direct path is about 159 miles (255.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.7 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 8:32 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.91 one way or $55.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Otto

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Otto, 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 Otto.

RAIL

Kankakee

8 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Gilman

33 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Dwight station

45 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

55 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Catlin and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 158.99 mi (255.87 km).

Catlin

#1 Catlin

Village in Vermilion County, Illinois

Population1,899
Coordinates40.0650400, -87.7019700
Altitude201
CountryUnited States
Waukegan

#2 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Start: Catlin (-87.70197, 40.06504)
End: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 337 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.4 gal
28 L · about $27.91
Round trip
$55.81
14.8 gal · 56 L
Estimated CO2
65.8 kg one way
Round trip: 131.5 kg / 290 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.91 $55.81
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.47 $62.94
Premium $4.65 $34.44 $68.88
Diesel $5.30 $39.25 $78.50

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

There is no time difference between Catlin and Waukegan. The current time is 02:10:16.

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.