How far is Grafton, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Grafton, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 325.3 miles (523.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 270.8 miles (435.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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 05h 24m.
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.
Town in McLean County, Illinois, United States
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 Grafton and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grafton and Waukegan.
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1
Start on Oak Street
26 m · 6 sec · Oak Street
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2
Turn right onto East Main Street
1062 ft · 22 sec · East Main Street
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3
Turn right onto North Market Street
8 mi · 14 min · North Market Street
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4
Turn left onto McClusky Road
8.2 mi · 15 min · McClusky Road
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto South State Street
14.5 mi · 17 min · South State Street
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6
Continue on United States Route 67
8.1 mi · 9 min · United States Route 67
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7
Continue on South Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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8
Continue on South State Avenue
2.4 mi · 3 min · South State Avenue
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9
Continue on South State Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · South State Street
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10
Continue on 1440 E
2.3 mi · 3 min · 1440 E
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11
Continue on Main Street
11.9 mi · 13 min · Main Street
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 72 East: Quincy
3068 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left
50.5 mi · 55 min
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14
Continue straight
20.5 mi · 22 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
120.8 mi · 2 hr 14 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 Grafton and Waukegan.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 55 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
121 mi · 02h 14m
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 leaving Grafton 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 Grafton to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 325.3 miles (523.5 km) and usually takes 05h 24m 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?
Normal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 164.2 miles from Grafton and 161 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 270.8 miles (435.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.5 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:10 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $52.89 one way or $105.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Grafton and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Normal
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Normal.
Uptown Station
Pontiac station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Grafton and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 270.81 mi (435.82 km).
#1 Grafton
Town in Illinois, United States
| Population | 691 |
| Coordinates | 38.9700500, -90.4315000 |
| Altitude | 137 |
| 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: 523 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.61 | $52.89 | $105.78 |
| Mid-grade | $5.24 | $60.16 | $120.31 |
| Premium | $5.79 | $66.52 | $133.03 |
| Diesel | $6.59 | $75.68 | $151.35 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026