How far is Galena, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Galena, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 172.3 miles (277.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 131.9 miles (212.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 12m 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 06m.
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.
The second most populous city in Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Galena and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Galena and Waukegan.
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1
Start on South Bench Street
2297 ft · 2 min · South Bench Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Bench Street
32 m · 11 sec · South Bench Street
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3
Turn left onto Decatur Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Decatur Street
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4
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
12.8 mi · 18 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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5
Continue on Madison Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Madison Street
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6
Continue on West Diagonal Street
639 ft · 21 sec · West Diagonal Street
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7
Continue on North Main Street
2099 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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8
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.6 mi · 6 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on East Woodbine Street
2853 ft · 1 min · East Woodbine Street
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10
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
6.4 mi · 9 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on West North Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · West North Avenue
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12
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
33.2 mi · 42 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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13
Continue on West State Road
9.8 mi · 11 min · West State Road
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14
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
14.5 mi · 17 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East: Belvedere
1251 ft · 31 sec · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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16
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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17
Continue on West Grant Highway
5 mi · 8 min · West Grant Highway
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18
Turn left onto South State Street
2473 ft · 44 sec · South State Street
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19
Turn right onto Telegraph Street
9 mi · 13 min · Telegraph Street
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20
Turn right
1.4 km · 1 min
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21
Turn left
7.1 mi · 12 min
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22
Turn left
5.1 mi · 8 min
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23
Turn right onto Bull Valley Road
910 ft · 17 sec · Bull Valley Road
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24
Continue on Charles J Miller Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Charles J Miller Road
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25
At the end of the road, turn left onto South River Road
1.4 km · 2 min · South River Road
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26
Continue on Chapel Hill Road
1.1 km · 58 sec · Chapel Hill Road
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27
Turn slight right
63 m · 6 sec
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28
Turn straight onto West Elm Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Elm Street
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29
Continue on Rand Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Rand Road
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30
Continue on West Belvidere Road
10.5 mi · 16 min · West Belvidere Road
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31
Continue on Belvidere Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · Belvidere Road
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32
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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33
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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34
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Galena 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
33.2 mi · 00h 42m
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 leaving Galena and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Galena to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 172.3 miles (277.3 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?
Rockford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76 miles from Galena and 96.4 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 131.9 miles (212.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.4 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 10:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.93 one way or $45.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Galena and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Rockford
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 Rockford.
Rockford, Illinois
South Beloit, Illinois
Janesville, Wisconsin
Mendota station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Galena and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 131.92 mi (212.3 km).
#1 Galena
County seat of Jo Daviess County, Illinois
| Population | 3,151 |
| Coordinates | 42.4166700, -90.4290200 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| 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: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.93 | $45.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.86 | $51.72 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.30 | $56.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.25 | $64.50 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.