How far is Fulton, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Fulton, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 167 miles (268.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 123.5 miles (198.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 38m 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 49m.
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 DeKalb County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fulton and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fulton and Waukegan.
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1
Start on 9th Street
6 m · 6 sec · 9th Street
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2
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
1 km · 2 min · 10th Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Waller Road
1401 ft · 31 sec · Waller Road
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4
Turn left onto 14th Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · 14th Avenue
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5
Turn left onto Lincoln Road
7.8 mi · 11 min · Lincoln Road
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6
Continue on West Lincoln Way
985 ft · 24 sec · West Lincoln Way
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7
Continue on West Lincolnway
1.2 km · 2 min · West Lincolnway
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8
Continue on East Lincoln Way
1.3 mi · 3 min · East Lincoln Way
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9
Continue on Lincoln Road
9 mi · 12 min · Lincoln Road
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10
Continue straight
1334 ft · 17 sec
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11
Continue straight
1581 ft · 20 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 88 East: Dixon
1.4 km · 2 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
91 mi · 1 hr 41 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
35.2 mi · 43 min · Tri-State Tollway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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21
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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22
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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23
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fulton 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 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.
Sunny leaving Fulton 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 Fulton to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 167 miles (268.7 km) and usually takes 02h 49m 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?
Cortland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.4 miles from Fulton and 83.6 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 123.5 miles (198.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.5 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 12:52 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.21 one way or $44.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fulton and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Cortland
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 Cortland.
Plano
Rockford, Illinois
Naperville
Mendota station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fulton and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 123.49 mi (198.74 km).
#1 Fulton
City in Illinois
| Population | 3,285 |
| Coordinates | 41.8672500, -90.1595700 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| 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: 269 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.21 | $44.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.05 | $50.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.41 | $54.82 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.24 | $62.48 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.