How far is East Moline, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from East Moline, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 187.3 miles (301.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 146.3 miles (235.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 05m 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 02m.
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, US
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between East Moline and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Moline and Waukegan.
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1
Start on 7th Street
36 m · 9 sec · 7th Street
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2
Turn left onto 30th Avenue
1 mi · 3 min · 30th Avenue
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3
Continue on Crosstown Avenue
1.1 mi · 3 min · Crosstown Avenue
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4
Turn left onto John Deere Expressway
4.5 mi · 6 min · John Deere Expressway
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5
Keep slight left
1799 ft · 24 sec
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6
Continue straight
43.8 mi · 47 min
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7
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
91 mi · 1 hr 41 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
35.2 mi · 43 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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14
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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15
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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16
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between East Moline and Waukegan.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
91 mi · 01h 41m
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.
Sunny leaving East Moline and Sunny near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from East Moline to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 187.3 miles (301.4 km) and usually takes 03h 02m 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?
Malta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.5 miles from East Moline and 93.8 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 146.3 miles (235.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 41 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 10:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.93 one way or $49.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around East Moline and Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Malta
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 Malta.
Rockford, Illinois
Plano
Mendota station
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between East Moline and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 146.3 mi (235.45 km).
#1 East Moline
City in Rock Island County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 20,473 |
| Coordinates | 41.5008700, -90.4443000 |
| Altitude | 214 |
| 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: 301 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.93 | $49.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.11 | $56.22 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.76 | $61.53 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.06 | $70.12 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.