How far is De Soto, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from De Soto, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 367.8 miles (591.9 km), with a travel time of about 07h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 322.5 miles (519 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 07h 03m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between De Soto and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between De Soto and Waukegan.
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1
Start on United States Highway 51
12 m · 2 sec · United States Highway 51
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2
Turn right
5.1 mi · 8 min
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3
Turn right onto Cambria Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Cambria Road
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Herrin Road
67 m · 4 sec · Herrin Road
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5
Exit the roundabout onto Herrin Road
3.5 mi · 5 min · Herrin Road
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6
Continue on West Herrin Street
3.1 mi · 5 min · West Herrin Street
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7
Continue on Herrin Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Herrin Road
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8
Take the ramp left
1275 ft · 31 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
36.7 mi · 40 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195.2 mi · 3 hr 34 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 De Soto 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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving De Soto 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 De Soto to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 367.8 miles (591.9 km) and usually takes 07h 03m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Tolono is a useful midpoint, sitting about 184 miles from De Soto and 183.8 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 322.5 miles (519 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.3 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.95 one way or $97.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 115.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around De Soto and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Tolono
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 Tolono.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Mattoon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between De Soto and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 322.49 mi (518.99 km).
#1 De Soto
Village in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,503 |
| Coordinates | 37.8175500, -89.2278600 |
| Altitude | 122 |
| 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: 592 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $48.95 | $97.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $55.20 | $110.41 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $60.41 | $120.82 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $68.85 | $137.69 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.