How far is Jackson, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Jackson, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 307.1 miles (494.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 251.9 miles (405.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 36m 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 05h 18m.
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.
Township in Peoria County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jackson and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson and Waukegan.
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1
Start on 990N
737 ft · 20 sec · 990N
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2
Turn right
1266 ft · 22 sec
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3
Take the ramp straight
9 mi · 11 min
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4
Take the exit slight right toward US 41 North, US 150 West: Terre Haute
1043 ft · 36 sec
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5
Continue on North 6th Street
1502 ft · 18 sec · North 6th Street
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6
Continue straight
57.3 mi · 1 hr 17 min
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7
Turn straight onto Chicago
63.3 mi · 1 hr 21 min
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8
Continue straight
80.6 mi · 1 hr 46 min
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9
Turn left onto West Lincoln Highway
746 ft · 24 sec · West Lincoln Highway
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10
Continue on Joliet Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · Joliet Street
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11
Continue on Lincoln Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · Lincoln Highway
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12
Continue on Glenwood Dyer Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · Glenwood Dyer Road
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13
Take the ramp slight right toward IL 394 North
2063 ft · 50 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Calumet Expressway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Calumet Expressway
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15
Continue on Bishop Ford Freeway
7.9 mi · 11 min · Bishop Ford Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway
2.8 mi · 4 min · Bishop Ford Freeway
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17
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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19
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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20
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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22
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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23
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
1323 ft · 36 sec
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25
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road
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26
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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27
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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28
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jackson and Waukegan.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Chicago
Continue straight
80.6 mi · 01h 46m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Jackson 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 Jackson to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 307.1 miles (494.2 km) and usually takes 05h 18m 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?
Hallock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142.3 miles from Jackson and 164.8 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 251.9 miles (405.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.2 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 6:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.88 one way or $81.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Jackson and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Hallock
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 Hallock.
Gilman
Danville, Illinois
Rantoul
Rensselaer
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jackson and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 251.88 mi (405.36 km).
#1 Jackson
County in Illinois, United States
| Population | 18,488 |
| Coordinates | 38.7211600, -87.6503000 |
| Altitude | 144 |
| 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: 494 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.88 | $81.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.10 | $92.21 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.45 | $100.90 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.50 | $114.99 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.