How far is Harlem, IL from Waukegan, IL?

The driving distance from Harlem, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 71.3 miles (114.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 59.9 miles (96.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 19m 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
71.32 mi
01h 39m
Flight
59.92 mi
96.43 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Harlem.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
59.92 mi
Kilometers
96.43 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
71.32 mi
Kilometers
114.78 km
Drive Time
01h 39m

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 01h 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukegan
Tue, Apr 14, 8:26 PM CDT
Return by in Harlem
Tue, Apr 14, 10:06 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Harlem
2026-04-14T18:46
Arrive Waukegan
Tue, Apr 14, 8:26 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:40 AM to 11:40 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:10 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Harlem
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
Hebron
IL

Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America

From Harlem
35.6 mi
00h 49m
To Waukegan
35.7 mi
00h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
This Afternoon

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 3:00 PM CDT
Wind
15 mph SSW
Destination
73°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Harlem Road

    2483 ft · 57 sec · Harlem Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Perryville Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · North Perryville Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West Lane Road

    3.6 mi · 6 min · West Lane Road

  4. 4

    Continue on State Route 173

    5.6 mi · 8 min · State Route 173

  5. 5

    Continue on West Grove Street

    12.4 mi · 18 min · West Grove Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto South Division Street

    2662 ft · 49 sec · South Division Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto East Diggins Street

    18.8 mi · 27 min · East Diggins Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Kenosha Road

    3.7 mi · 5 min · Kenosha Road

  9. 9

    Continue on West IL Route 173

    13.9 mi · 21 min · West IL Route 173

  10. 10

    Turn right onto North Skokie Highway

    7.4 mi · 9 min · North Skokie Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 132: Grand Avenue

    1010 ft · 28 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on IL 132 East

    94 m · 11 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto Grand Avenue

    2.8 mi · 6 min · Grand Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto North Jackson Street

    1375 ft · 38 sec · North Jackson Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
15 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Diggins Street
18.8 mi · 26%
West IL Route 173
13.9 mi · 19%
West Grove Street
12.4 mi · 17%
North Skokie Highway
7.41 mi · 10%
State Route 173
5.55 mi · 8%
Kenosha Road
3.72 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

East Diggins Street

Turn right onto East Diggins Street

18.8 mi · 00h 27m

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
01h 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.4 mi
59.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hebron
00h 49m from Harlem
Leave By
3:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Harlem 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 Harlem to Waukegan?

The road trip is about 71.3 miles (114.8 km) and usually takes 01h 39m 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?

Hebron is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.6 miles from Harlem and 35.7 miles from Waukegan.

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

The direct path is about 59.9 miles (96.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.50 one way or $19.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Hebron

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Hebron, 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 Hebron.

BUS

South Beloit, Illinois

46 mi away
15766 Manchester Road
BUS

Rockford, Illinois

50 mi away
7559 Walton St.
RAIL

Sturtevant station

51 mi away
9900 East Exploration Court
BUS

Janesville, Wisconsin

54 mi away
3120 North Pontiac Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Harlem and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 59.92 mi (96.43 km).

Harlem

#1 Harlem

Township in Winnebago County, Illinois, United States

Population2,114
Coordinates42.3403000, -89.0178800
Altitude230
CountryUnited States
Waukegan

#2 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Start: Forest Hills Road (-89.017742, 42.340272)
End: North Jackson Street (-87.844706, 42.363629)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 115 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.52 gal
9.53 L · about $9.50
Round trip
$19.01
5.04 gal · 19.06 L
Estimated CO2
22.4 kg one way
Round trip: 44.8 kg / 99 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.50 $19.01
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.72 $21.44
Premium $4.65 $11.73 $23.46
Diesel $5.30 $13.37 $26.73

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

There is no time difference between Harlem and Waukegan. The current time is 18:46:47.

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.