How far is Cerro Gordo, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Cerro Gordo, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 211.3 miles (340.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 177 miles (284.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 30m 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 15m.
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 Kankakee County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cerro Gordo and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cerro Gordo and Waukegan.
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1
Start on Monroe Street
51 m · 9 sec · Monroe Street
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2
Turn right onto East South Street
142 m · 26 sec · East South Street
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3
Turn left onto Jackson Street
989 ft · 22 sec · Jackson Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Carter Street
583 ft · 12 sec · Carter Street
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5
Continue on North 100 East Road
8.3 mi · 15 min · North 100 East Road
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6
Turn left onto Old Route 47
1.1 mi · 2 min · Old Route 47
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7
Turn right
1175 ft · 30 sec
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8
Take the ramp right toward I-72 East: Champaign
1810 ft · 44 sec
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9
Merge slight left
25.6 mi · 28 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 57 North: Chicago
1520 ft · 43 sec
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11
Merge slight left
123.5 mi · 2 hr 17 min
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12
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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14
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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15
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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17
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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18
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
1323 ft · 36 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road
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21
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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22
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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23
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cerro Gordo 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 57 North
Merge slight left
124 mi · 02h 17m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cerro Gordo and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cerro Gordo to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 211.3 miles (340.1 km) and usually takes 04h 15m 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 105.7 miles from Cerro Gordo and 105.6 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 177 miles (284.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.3 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 8:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.13 one way or $56.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cerro Gordo and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Otto
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 Otto.
Kankakee
Gilman
Dwight station
Joliet Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cerro Gordo and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 176.94 mi (284.76 km).
#1 Cerro Gordo
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,337 |
| Coordinates | 39.8905900, -88.7281300 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| 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: 340 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.13 | $56.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.73 | $63.45 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.72 | $69.44 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $39.57 | $79.14 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.