How far is Freeport, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Freeport, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 129 miles (207.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 90.8 miles (146.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 11m 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 02h 05m.
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.
City in McHenry County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Freeport and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Freeport and Waukegan.
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1
Start on South Galena Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Galena Avenue
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2
Turn left onto US 20 Business
2.9 mi · 4 min · US 20 Business
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3
Take the ramp straight
2108 ft · 51 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
7.5 mi · 9 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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5
Continue on West State Road
9.8 mi · 11 min · West State Road
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6
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
14.5 mi · 17 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East: Belvedere
1251 ft · 31 sec · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
13.5 mi · 20 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on West Grant Highway
5 mi · 8 min · West Grant Highway
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10
Turn left onto South State Street
2473 ft · 44 sec · South State Street
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11
Turn right onto Telegraph Street
9 mi · 13 min · Telegraph Street
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12
Turn right
1.4 km · 1 min
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13
Turn left
7.1 mi · 12 min
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14
Turn left
5.1 mi · 8 min
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15
Turn right onto Bull Valley Road
910 ft · 17 sec · Bull Valley Road
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16
Continue on Charles J Miller Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Charles J Miller Road
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17
At the end of the road, turn left onto South River Road
1.4 km · 2 min · South River Road
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18
Continue on Chapel Hill Road
1.1 km · 58 sec · Chapel Hill Road
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19
Turn slight right
63 m · 6 sec
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20
Turn straight onto West Elm Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Elm Street
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21
Continue on Rand Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Rand Road
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22
Continue on West Belvidere Road
10.5 mi · 16 min · West Belvidere Road
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23
Continue on Belvidere Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · Belvidere Road
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24
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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25
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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26
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Freeport 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.
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
14.5 mi · 00h 17m
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 Likely leaving Freeport 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 Freeport to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 129 miles (207.6 km) and usually takes 02h 05m 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?
Marengo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.2 miles from Freeport and 77.9 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 90.8 miles (146.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.2 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 2:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.16 one way or $34.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Freeport and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Marengo
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 Marengo.
Rockford, Illinois
South Beloit, Illinois
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Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Freeport and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 90.86 mi (146.22 km).
#1 Freeport
City in Illinois
| Population | 23,447 |
| Coordinates | 42.2966900, -89.6212300 |
| Altitude | 237 |
| 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: 208 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.16 | $34.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.35 | $38.70 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.18 | $42.35 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.13 | $48.27 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.