How far is Galva, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Galva, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 187.7 miles (302.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 140.2 miles (225.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 46m 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 53m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Galva and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Galva and Waukegan.
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1
Start on Front Street
25 m · 5 sec · Front Street
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2
Turn right onto Chester St
673 ft · 21 sec · Chester St
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3
Continue on Southeast 1st Avenue
706 ft · 25 sec · Southeast 1st Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Southeast 2nd Street
10.5 mi · 16 min · Southeast 2nd Street
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5
Continue on South Main Street
1.2 km · 1 min · South Main Street
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6
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
2506 ft · 42 sec · East 2nd Street
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7
Turn slight left onto North East Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · North East Street
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8
Turn left
12 mi · 18 min
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9
Turn right onto West Railroad Street
1.6 km · 1 min · West Railroad Street
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10
Continue on North Mason Street
1757 ft · 29 sec · North Mason Street
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11
Continue on County Road 1500 N
2.5 mi · 4 min · County Road 1500 N
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12
Turn left onto IL 40
1.4 mi · 2 min · IL 40
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13
Take the ramp left
1690 ft · 42 sec
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14
Merge slight left
81.3 mi · 1 hr 27 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago
1892 ft · 54 sec
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16
Merge slight left
26.6 mi · 33 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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22
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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23
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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24
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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25
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Galva and Waukegan.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
IL 40
Merge slight left
81.3 mi · 01h 27m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Galva 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 Galva to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 187.7 miles (302.1 km) and usually takes 03h 53m 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?
Morris is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.8 miles from Galva and 94 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140.2 miles (225.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.96 one way or $49.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Galva and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Morris
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 Morris.
Dwight station
Joliet Transportation Center
Plano
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Galva and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 140.2 mi (225.63 km).
#1 Galva
City in Illinois, USA
| Population | 2,449 |
| Coordinates | 41.1675400, -90.0426100 |
| Altitude | 259 |
| 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: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 302 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.96 | $49.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.15 | $56.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.81 | $61.62 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.11 | $70.22 |
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.