How far is Elmwood Park, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Elmwood Park, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 38.4 miles (61.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.6 miles (49.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 45m 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 52m.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elmwood Park and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elmwood Park and Waukegan.
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1
Start on the route
57 m · 16 sec
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2
Turn right onto West Belden Avenue
53 m · 13 sec · West Belden Avenue
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3
Turn left onto North 73rd Avenue
661 ft · 34 sec · North 73rd Avenue
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4
Turn left onto West Fullerton Avenue
44 m · 6 sec · West Fullerton Avenue
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5
Turn right onto 73rd Avenue
110 m · 16 sec · 73rd Avenue
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6
Turn left onto West Grand Avenue
1.9 mi · 4 min · West Grand Avenue
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7
Turn right onto Des Plaines River Road
1.8 mi · 4 min · Des Plaines River Road
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8
Turn left onto Irving Park Road
1.1 mi · 3 min · Irving Park Road
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9
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1735 ft · 42 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
28 mi · 34 min · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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13
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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14
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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15
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elmwood Park 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
28 mi · 00h 34m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Elmwood Park 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 Elmwood Park to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 38.4 miles (61.8 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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 19.1 miles from Elmwood Park and 19.3 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.6 miles (49.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.8 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 4:44 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.13 one way or $10.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Elmwood Park and Showers And Thunderstorms 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 Elmwood Park and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 30.63 mi (49.29 km).
#1 Elmwood Park
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 23,805 |
| Coordinates | 41.9211400, -87.8092300 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| 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: 62 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.13 | $10.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.78 | $11.57 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.33 | $12.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.21 | $14.43 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.