How far is Chicago, IL from Wauconda, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Wauconda, IL is about 42.6 miles (68.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 37.8 miles (60.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 14m 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 01h 07m.
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.
The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Wauconda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Wauconda.
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1
Start on the route
943 ft · 1 min
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
947 ft · 26 sec · West Cermak Road
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3
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 17 sec · South Halsted Street
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4
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
881 ft · 23 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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5
Turn left onto South Ruble Street
676 ft · 23 sec · South Ruble Street
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 90 West, I 94 West
1758 ft · 43 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
1.5 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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8
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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9
Continue on Edens Expressway
2.2 mi · 2 min · Edens Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 14 West: Caldwell Avenue
1068 ft · 26 sec
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11
Turn slight right onto North Caldwell Avenue
2.5 mi · 4 min · North Caldwell Avenue
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12
Turn left onto West Touhy Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · West Touhy Avenue
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13
Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue
142 m · 11 sec · North Milwaukee Avenue
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14
Continue on North Milwaukee Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · North Milwaukee Avenue
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15
Continue on Milwaukee Avenue
4.5 mi · 7 min · Milwaukee Avenue
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16
Turn left onto Old Palatine Road
2346 ft · 1 min · Old Palatine Road
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17
Continue on West Palatine Road
560 ft · 15 sec · West Palatine Road
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18
Take the ramp slight left toward Palatine Road
109 m · 10 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Palatine Road
3.8 mi · 6 min · Palatine Road
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20
Turn right onto East Rand Road
13.2 mi · 19 min · East Rand Road
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21
Turn right onto Old Rand Road
1049 ft · 29 sec · Old Rand Road
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22
Continue on South Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · South Main Street
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23
Turn right onto East Liberty Street
21 m · 2 sec · East Liberty Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Liberty Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Wauconda.
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.
East Rand Road
Turn right onto East Rand Road
13.2 mi · 00h 19m
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.
Sunny leaving Chicago and Areas Of Frost then Sunny near Wauconda.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Wauconda?
The road trip is about 42.6 miles (68.6 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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?
Des Plaines is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.3 miles from Chicago and 21.3 miles from Wauconda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 37.8 miles (60.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.8 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 4:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.06 one way or $14.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chicago and Areas Of Frost then Sunny near Wauconda.
Stop Ideas Near Des Plaines
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 Des Plaines.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Summit
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Wauconda. Straight-line distance: 37.79 mi (60.81 km).
#1 Chicago
The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.
| Population | 2,677,643 |
| Coordinates | 41.850033, -87.6500523 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Wauconda
Village in Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 13,432 |
| Coordinates | 42.2589100, -88.1392500 |
| Altitude | 245 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wauconda (-88.13925, 42.25891)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 69 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.71 | $7.06 | $14.12 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $8.01 | $16.01 |
| Premium | $5.89 | $8.83 | $17.66 |
| Diesel | $6.58 | $9.87 | $19.74 |
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 · Oct 17, 2026