How far is Hudson, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Hudson, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 161.5 miles (259.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.1 miles (217.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m 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 13m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States of America
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 Hudson and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hudson and Waukegan.
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1
Start on South Broadway Street
80 m · 12 sec · South Broadway Street
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2
Turn right onto East Franklin Street
1316 ft · 38 sec · East Franklin Street
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3
Continue on East 2200 North Road
4.2 mi · 6 min · East 2200 North Road
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4
Turn right onto North 1900 East Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · North 1900 East Road
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5
Turn left onto I 55 North: Joliet
1893 ft · 46 sec
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6
Merge slight left
105.6 mi · 1 hr 58 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 45 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 Hudson 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 55 North
Merge slight left
106 mi · 01h 58m
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 Hudson 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 Hudson to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 161.5 miles (259.9 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?
Channahon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.7 miles from Hudson and 80.7 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.1 miles (217.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.49 one way or $42.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Hudson and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Channahon
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 Channahon.
Joliet Transportation Center
Plano
Naperville
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hudson and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 135.08 mi (217.39 km).
#1 Hudson
Village in McLean County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,810 |
| Coordinates | 40.6058700, -88.9873000 |
| Altitude | 234 |
| 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: 260 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.49 | $42.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.24 | $48.48 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.53 | $53.06 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.23 | $60.47 |
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.