How far is Cincinnati, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Cincinnati, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 313 miles (503.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 276 miles (444.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 46m 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 23m.
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.
Village in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cincinnati and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cincinnati and Waukegan.
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1
Start on County Road 1000N
1 mi · 4 min · County Road 1000N
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2
Turn left onto 900E
2 mi · 5 min · 900E
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3
Turn left onto County Road 800 North
7 mi · 10 min · County Road 800 North
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4
Turn slight left
887 ft · 32 sec
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5
Turn straight onto County Road 1600E
3.8 mi · 6 min · County Road 1600E
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6
Continue on Washington Street
1 mi · 2 min · Washington Street
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7
Continue on County Road 1600E
4.6 mi · 7 min · County Road 1600E
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8
Continue on County Road 1800N
1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road 1800N
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9
Continue on Central Street
2051 ft · 35 sec · Central Street
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10
Continue on Central Street
2844 ft · 48 sec · Central Street
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11
Continue on County Road 1400E
14.3 mi · 20 min · County Road 1400E
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12
Turn right onto County Road 925 E
16.2 mi · 24 min · County Road 925 E
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13
Continue on United States Route 45
14.9 mi · 22 min · United States Route 45
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14
Turn right onto West Fayette Avenue
1123 ft · 33 sec · West Fayette Avenue
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15
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · South 3rd Street
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16
Take the ramp right toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute
2624 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left
1.3 km · 55 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195.2 mi · 3 hr 34 min
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19
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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21
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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22
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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24
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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25
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
1323 ft · 36 sec
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27
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road
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28
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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29
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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30
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cincinnati and Waukegan.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195 mi · 03h 34m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Cincinnati and 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 Cincinnati to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 313 miles (503.8 km) and usually takes 05h 23m 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?
Rantoul is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.8 miles from Cincinnati and 154.2 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 276 miles (444.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 37 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 6:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.67 one way or $83.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 98.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Cincinnati and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Rantoul
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 Rantoul.
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Danville, Illinois
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cincinnati and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 276.04 mi (444.24 km).
#1 Cincinnati
Township in Tazewell County, Illinois
| Population | 8,830 |
| Coordinates | 38.4008800, -88.5119900 |
| Altitude | 128 |
| 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: 504 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.67 | $83.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $47.00 | $93.99 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $51.43 | $102.85 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $58.61 | $117.22 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.