How far is Inverness, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Inverness, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 27.8 miles (44.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.3 miles (34.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 00h 51m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Village in West Deerfield and Vernon townships of Lake County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Inverness and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Inverness and Waukegan.
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1
Start on Ela Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Ela Road
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2
Turn right onto East Dundee Road
3.4 mi · 5 min · East Dundee Road
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3
Turn left onto North Hicks Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Hicks Road
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4
Continue on North State Route 53
3.1 mi · 5 min · North State Route 53
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 83
1.5 mi · 3 min · State Highway 83
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6
Turn right onto Half Day Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Half Day Road
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7
Continue on West Half Day Road
4.4 mi · 8 min · West Half Day Road
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8
Turn left onto I 94 West Toll: Wisconsin
2151 ft · 54 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
10 mi · 12 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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12
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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13
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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14
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Inverness and Waukegan.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
9.98 mi · 00h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Inverness 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 Inverness to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 27.8 miles (44.8 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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?
Bannockburn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.3 miles from Inverness and 12.6 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.3 miles (34.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.70 one way or $7.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Inverness and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Bannockburn
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 Bannockburn.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Inverness and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 21.29 mi (34.26 km).
#1 Inverness
Village in United States of America
| Population | 7,303 |
| Coordinates | 42.1180800, -88.0961900 |
| Altitude | 257 |
| 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: 45 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.70 | $7.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.17 | $8.34 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.56 | $9.12 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.20 | $10.40 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.