How far is Geneseo, IL from Waukegan, IL?

The driving distance from Geneseo, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 183.8 miles (295.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 134.5 miles (216.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
183.81 mi
02h 58m
Flight
134.55 mi
216.54 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Geneseo.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
134.55 mi
Kilometers
216.54 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
183.81 mi
Kilometers
295.81 km
Drive Time
02h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukegan
Tue, May 12, 10:34 PM CDT
Return by in Geneseo
Wed, May 13, 1:32 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Geneseo
2026-05-12T19:36
Arrive Waukegan
Tue, May 12, 10:34 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:58 AM to 12:58 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:34 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Geneseo
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Morris
IL

City in Illinois

From Geneseo
91.8 mi
01h 29m
To Waukegan
92 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph SW
Destination
74°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Geneseo and Waukegan.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Geneseo and Waukegan.

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    27 m · 7 sec · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Oakwood Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · South Oakwood Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left

    787 ft · 19 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    106.8 mi · 1 hr 54 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago

    1892 ft · 54 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    26.6 mi · 33 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin

    1.6 mi · 3 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin

    1694 ft · 41 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road

    1923 ft · 47 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Belvidere Road

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road

  13. 13

    Continue on Belvidere Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

    2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto South Jackson Street

    2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Geneseo and Waukegan.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
16 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Oakwood Avenue
108 mi · 59%
Tri-State Tollway
41.8 mi · 23%
I 55 North
26.9 mi · 15%
Belvidere Road
1.87 mi · 1%
Belvidere Street
1.65 mi · 1%
I 294 Tollway North
1.56 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

South Oakwood Avenue

Merge slight left

107 mi · 01h 54m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+49.3 mi
134.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Morris
01h 29m from Geneseo
Leave By
12:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Geneseo 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 Geneseo to Waukegan?

The road trip is about 183.8 miles (295.8 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?

Morris is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.8 miles from Geneseo and 92 miles from Waukegan.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 134.5 miles (216.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.3 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 12:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.47 one way or $48.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Geneseo and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.

Stop Ideas Near Morris

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Morris, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Morris.

RAIL

Dwight station

29 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

34 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Plano

35 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

Naperville

52 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Geneseo and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 134.55 mi (216.54 km).

Geneseo

#1 Geneseo

Township in Henry County, Illinois

Population6,505
Coordinates41.4480900, -90.1542800
Altitude198
CountryUnited States
Waukegan

#2 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Start: East Main Street (-90.154281, 41.44794)
End: North Jackson Street (-87.844706, 42.363629)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 296 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 40m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 03m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 17m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.49 gal
24.55 L · about $24.47
Round trip
$48.95
12.98 gal · 49.1 L
Estimated CO2
57.7 kg one way
Round trip: 115.4 kg / 254 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.47 $48.95
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.60 $55.20
Premium $4.65 $30.20 $60.41
Diesel $5.30 $34.42 $68.85

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

There is no time difference between Geneseo and Waukegan. The current time is 19:36:10.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.