How far is Jacksonville, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Jacksonville, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 266.5 miles (428.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 220.1 miles (354.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 19m 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 04h 09m.
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 Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jacksonville and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville and Waukegan.
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1
Start on South Central Park Plaza
48 m · 9 sec · South Central Park Plaza
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2
Turn left onto South Mauvaisterre Street
115 m · 13 sec · South Mauvaisterre Street
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3
Turn left onto North Central Park Plaza
117 m · 13 sec · North Central Park Plaza
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4
Turn left onto North Sandy Street
115 m · 13 sec · North Sandy Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Central Park Plaza
58 m · 6 sec · South Central Park Plaza
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6
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.2 km · 1 min · South Main Street
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7
Turn left onto East Morton Avenue
2.5 mi · 4 min · East Morton Avenue
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8
Continue on Old Route 36
1.5 km · 1 min · Old Route 36
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9
Turn left
1635 ft · 40 sec
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10
Merge slight left
42.5 mi · 46 min
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11
Continue straight
20.5 mi · 22 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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13
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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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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19
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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20
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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21
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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22
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jacksonville 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
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Jacksonville and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Jacksonville to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 266.5 miles (428.9 km) and usually takes 04h 09m 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?
Rooks Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 133.2 miles from Jacksonville and 133.3 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 220.1 miles (354.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.4 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 8:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.45 one way or $70.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Jacksonville and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Rooks Creek
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 Rooks Creek.
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Uptown Station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jacksonville and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 220.08 mi (354.19 km).
#1 Jacksonville
City in Morgan County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 18,488 |
| Coordinates | 39.7339400, -90.2290100 |
| Altitude | 186 |
| 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: 429 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.45 | $70.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.98 | $79.96 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.75 | $87.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.86 | $99.72 |
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.