How far is Forsyth, IL from Waukegan, IL?

The driving distance from Forsyth, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 207.5 miles (333.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 177.6 miles (285.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
207.48 mi
03h 26m
Flight
177.56 mi
285.75 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Forsyth.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
177.56 mi
Kilometers
285.75 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
207.48 mi
Kilometers
333.9 km
Drive Time
03h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukegan
Wed, Apr 22, 10:56 PM CDT
Return by in Forsyth
Thu, Apr 23, 2:22 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Forsyth
2026-04-22T19:30
Arrive Waukegan
Wed, Apr 22, 10:56 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:26 AM to 11:26 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:08 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Forsyth
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Dwight
IL

Village in Illinois

From Forsyth
103.6 mi
01h 43m
To Waukegan
103.9 mi
01h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 mph SW
Destination
64°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Forsyth and Waukegan.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Forsyth and Waukegan.

  1. 1

    Start on East Ruehl Street

    1230 ft · 56 sec · East Ruehl Street

  2. 2

    Turn right

    36.2 mi · 45 min

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford

    122.1 mi · 2 hr 16 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin

    1.6 mi · 3 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin

    1694 ft · 41 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road

    1923 ft · 47 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto Belvidere Road

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road

  10. 10

    Continue on Belvidere Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

    2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto South Jackson Street

    2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Forsyth and Waukegan.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
13 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 74 West
122 mi · 59%
Tri-State Tollway
41.8 mi · 20%
Belvidere Road
1.87 mi · 1%
Belvidere Street
1.65 mi · 1%
I 294 Tollway North
1.56 mi · 1%
South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
Longest Stretch

I 74 West

Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford

122 mi · 02h 16m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 26m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.9 mi
177.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dwight
01h 43m from Forsyth
Leave By
10:08 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny leaving Forsyth 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 Forsyth to Waukegan?

The road trip is about 207.5 miles (333.9 km) and usually takes 03h 26m 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?

Dwight is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.6 miles from Forsyth and 103.9 miles from Waukegan.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 177.6 miles (285.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.9 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 10:08 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.60 one way or $55.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny around Forsyth and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.

Stop Ideas Near Dwight

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Dwight, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Dwight.

RAIL

Dwight station

119 West Main St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

30 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Kankakee

47 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Gilman

52 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Forsyth and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 177.56 mi (285.75 km).

Forsyth

#1 Forsyth

Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America

Population3,465
Coordinates39.9325400, -88.9511900
Altitude207
CountryUnited States
Waukegan

#2 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Start: East Ruehl Street (-88.95119, 39.932535)
End: North Jackson Street (-87.844706, 42.363629)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 334 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.32 gal
27.71 L · about $27.60
Round trip
$55.21
14.64 gal · 55.42 L
Estimated CO2
65.1 kg one way
Round trip: 130.1 kg / 287 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.60 $55.21
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.13 $62.26
Premium $4.65 $34.07 $68.13
Diesel $5.30 $38.83 $77.65

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Forsyth and Waukegan. The current time is 19:30:34.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.