How far is DeKalb, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from DeKalb, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 89.7 miles (144.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 55.2 miles (88.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 10m 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 35m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Kane County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between DeKalb and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between DeKalb and Waukegan.
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1
Start on East Lincoln Highway
26 m · 6 sec · East Lincoln Highway
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2
Turn left onto South 4th Street
2816 ft · 2 min · South 4th Street
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3
Continue on Sycamore Road
2 mi · 4 min · Sycamore Road
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4
Continue on DeKalb Avenue
2.6 mi · 4 min · DeKalb Avenue
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5
Turn left onto Center Cross Street
1663 ft · 42 sec · Center Cross Street
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6
At the end of the road, turn right onto West State Street
2977 ft · 1 min · West State Street
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7
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
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8
Turn right onto Plank Road
12 mi · 19 min · Plank Road
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9
Turn left
2.4 mi · 4 min
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10
Turn right onto Higgins Road
8.5 mi · 14 min · Higgins Road
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11
Continue on West Main Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
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12
Turn left onto Penny Avenue
5 mi · 8 min · Penny Avenue
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13
Continue on Dundee Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Dundee Road
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14
Continue on New Sutton Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · New Sutton Road
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15
Continue on South Hough Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · South Hough Street
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16
Continue on North Hough Road
6.4 mi · 10 min · North Hough Road
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17
Continue on Barrington Road
2852 ft · 1 min · Barrington Road
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18
Turn right onto West Liberty Street
3.4 mi · 6 min · West Liberty Street
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19
Turn right
1.9 mi · 3 min
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20
Continue straight
46 m · 4 sec
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21
Turn left onto Schank Avenue
797 ft · 24 sec · Schank Avenue
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22
Continue on Ivanhoe Road
3.7 mi · 6 min · Ivanhoe Road
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23
Continue on South Atkinson Road
2863 ft · 60 sec · South Atkinson Road
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24
Turn right onto East Belvidere Road
1 mi · 2 min · East Belvidere Road
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25
Continue on Belvidere Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · Belvidere Road
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26
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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27
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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28
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between DeKalb and Waukegan.
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.
Plank Road
Turn right onto Plank Road
12 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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving DeKalb and Chance Rain Showers near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from DeKalb to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 89.7 miles (144.3 km) and usually takes 01h 35m 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?
Carpentersville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.1 miles from DeKalb and 55.6 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 55.2 miles (88.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.5 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 3:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.92 one way or $23.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around DeKalb and Chance Rain Showers near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Carpentersville
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 Carpentersville.
Glenview station
Naperville
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between DeKalb and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 55.25 mi (88.91 km).
#1 DeKalb
The county seat of DeKalb County, Illinois.
| Population | 42,621 |
| Coordinates | 41.9294700, -88.7503600 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| 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: 144 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.92 | $23.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.44 | $26.88 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.71 | $29.41 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.76 | $33.52 |
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 · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.