How far is Downers Grove, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Downers Grove, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 48 miles (77.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 39.3 miles (63.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 48m 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 00h 54m.
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.
Township in Iroquois County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Downers Grove and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Downers Grove and Waukegan.
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1
Start on Main Street
11 m · 31 sec · Main Street
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2
Continue on Main Street
2850 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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3
Continue on Highland Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Highland Avenue
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4
Take the ramp right toward I 88 East Toll: Chicago
1419 ft · 35 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1816 ft · 26 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
35.2 mi · 43 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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12
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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13
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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14
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Downers Grove 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.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
35.2 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 48 miles (77.2 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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?
Ridgeland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.9 miles from Downers Grove and 24 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 39.3 miles (63.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.7 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 4:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.37 one way or $12.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Downers Grove and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Ridgeland
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 Ridgeland.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Downers Grove and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 39.26 mi (63.19 km).
#1 Downers Grove
Village in Downers Grove, Lisle, and York Townships, DuPage County, Illinois, US
| Population | 48,727 |
| Coordinates | 41.8089200, -88.0111700 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| 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: 77 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.37 | $12.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.19 | $14.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.87 | $15.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.96 | $17.93 |
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.