How far is Coal City, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Coal City, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 92.8 miles (149.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 77.7 miles (125.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 18m 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 39m.
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 United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Coal City and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coal City and Waukegan.
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1
Start on West Division Street
2 mi · 4 min · West Division Street
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2
Continue on West Coal City Road
1.5 km · 2 min · West Coal City Road
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3
Take the ramp left toward I 55 North: Joliet
1138 ft · 28 sec
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4
Merge slight left
40.9 mi · 49 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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11
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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12
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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13
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Coal City and Waukegan.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 55 North
Merge slight left
40.9 mi · 00h 49m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Coal City 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 Coal City to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 92.8 miles (149.3 km) and usually takes 01h 39m 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?
Indian Head Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46.4 miles from Coal City and 46.5 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 77.7 miles (125.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.1 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 3:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.33 one way or $24.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Coal City and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Indian Head Park
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 Indian Head Park.
La Grange Road
Summit
Naperville
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Coal City and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 77.72 mi (125.08 km).
#1 Coal City
Village in United States of America
| Population | 5,351 |
| Coordinates | 41.2878100, -88.2856200 |
| Altitude | 172 |
| 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: 149 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.33 | $24.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.91 | $27.81 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $15.22 | $30.44 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $17.34 | $34.69 |
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.