How far is Colfax, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Colfax, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 150.7 miles (242.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 130.4 miles (209.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 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.
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 03h 14m.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Colfax and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colfax and Waukegan.
-
1
Start on West Main Street
999 ft · 49 sec · West Main Street
-
2
Turn left onto North Harrison Street
2290 ft · 1 min · North Harrison Street
-
3
Continue on North 3400 East Road
6.7 mi · 12 min · North 3400 East Road
-
4
Continue on East 2600 North Road
1332 ft · 27 sec · East 2600 North Road
-
5
Continue on North 3360 East Road
6.1 mi · 11 min · North 3360 East Road
-
6
Continue on North 1600 East Road
7.3 mi · 10 min · North 1600 East Road
-
7
Continue on South Manlove Street
1352 ft · 30 sec · South Manlove Street
-
8
Turn left onto East Torrance Avenue
1644 ft · 35 sec · East Torrance Avenue
-
9
Turn right onto South Mill Street
2641 ft · 58 sec · South Mill Street
-
10
Turn left onto West Reynolds Street
1.2 km · 1 min · West Reynolds Street
-
11
Turn right
754 ft · 14 sec
-
12
Continue straight
1944 ft · 39 sec
-
13
Continue on Old Route 66
2100 ft · 46 sec · Old Route 66
-
14
Turn left onto West Custer Avenue
682 ft · 17 sec · West Custer Avenue
-
15
Continue on North 1500 East Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · North 1500 East Road
-
16
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Joliet
2198 ft · 54 sec
-
17
Merge slight left onto Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
76.1 mi · 1 hr 26 min · Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
-
20
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
21
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
-
23
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
-
24
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
-
25
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
-
26
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
-
27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Colfax and Waukegan.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
Merge slight left onto Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
76.1 mi · 01h 26m
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny leaving Colfax 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 Colfax to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 150.7 miles (242.6 km) and usually takes 03h 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?
Shorewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.4 miles from Colfax and 75.4 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 130.4 miles (209.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.3 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 10:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.06 one way or $40.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny around Colfax and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Shorewood
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 Shorewood.
Joliet Transportation Center
Naperville
Plano
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Colfax and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 130.41 mi (209.87 km).
#1 Colfax
Village in McLean County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,009 |
| Coordinates | 40.5669800, -88.6164500 |
| Altitude | 230 |
| 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: 243 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.06 | $40.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.63 | $45.25 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.76 | $49.52 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.22 | $56.43 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.