How far is Galesburg, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Galesburg, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 223.6 miles (359.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163 miles (262.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 10m 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 35m.
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 Lee County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Galesburg and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Galesburg and Waukegan.
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1
Start on Public Square
632 ft · 11 sec · Public Square
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2
Exit the rotary onto East Main Street
2 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
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3
Take the ramp right toward I 74 West: Moline
1133 ft · 27 sec
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4
Merge slight left
34.2 mi · 37 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
135 mi · 2 hr 29 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
35.2 mi · 43 min · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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13
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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14
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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15
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Galesburg 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 88 East
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
135 mi · 02h 29m
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.
Sunny leaving Galesburg and Sunny near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Galesburg to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 223.6 miles (359.9 km) and usually takes 03h 35m 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?
Ashton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.7 miles from Galesburg and 112 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163 miles (262.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.6 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 9:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.75 one way or $59.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Galesburg and Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Ashton
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 Ashton.
Mendota station
Rockford, Illinois
Princeton
Plano
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Galesburg and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 163.02 mi (262.36 km).
#1 Galesburg
County seat of Knox County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 29,803 |
| Coordinates | 40.9478200, -90.3712400 |
| Altitude | 235 |
| 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: 360 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.75 | $59.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.56 | $67.11 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.72 | $73.44 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.85 | $83.70 |
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 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.