How far is Empire, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Empire, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 179.1 miles (288.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.1 miles (239.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 06m 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 03m.
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, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Empire and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Empire and Waukegan.
-
1
Start on East 150 North Road
1.1 mi · 4 min · East 150 North Road
-
2
Turn left onto East 200 North Road
784 ft · 13 sec · East 200 North Road
-
3
Take the ramp right toward I 74 West: Bloomington
2041 ft · 50 sec
-
4
Merge slight left
9.1 mi · 10 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward Downs
1174 ft · 25 sec
-
6
Turn right onto East 700 North Road
140 m · 11 sec · East 700 North Road
-
7
Continue on South Seminary Street
1 km · 2 min · South Seminary Street
-
8
At the end of the road, turn left
2 mi · 3 min
-
9
Turn right onto Towanda Barnes Road
6.8 mi · 11 min · Towanda Barnes Road
-
10
Continue on Towanda-Barnes Road
3 mi · 5 min · Towanda-Barnes Road
-
11
Continue on West Hely Street
1225 ft · 40 sec · West Hely Street
-
12
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
2706 ft · 1 min · South Jefferson Street
-
13
Continue on North 1900 East Road
709 ft · 15 sec · North 1900 East Road
-
14
Take the ramp right toward I 55 North: Joliet
1857 ft · 45 sec
-
15
Merge slight left
105.6 mi · 1 hr 58 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
-
18
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
-
21
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
-
22
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
-
23
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
-
24
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
-
25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Empire and Waukegan.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 55 North
Merge slight left
106 mi · 01h 58m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Empire and Chance 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 Empire to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 179.1 miles (288.2 km) and usually takes 03h 03m 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?
Diamond is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.4 miles from Empire and 89.7 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.1 miles (239.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 30 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 $23.83 one way or $47.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Empire and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Diamond
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 Diamond.
Dwight station
Joliet Transportation Center
Kankakee
Plano
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Empire and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 149.07 mi (239.91 km).
#1 Empire
Township in McLean County, Illinois
| Population | 4,024 |
| Coordinates | 40.3055900, -88.7075700 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| 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: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.83 | $47.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.88 | $53.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.41 | $58.83 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.52 | $67.04 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.