How far is Lake Bluff, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Lake Bluff, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 8 miles (12.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 5.9 miles (9.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 15m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City and suburb of Chicago, Illinois, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Bluff and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Bluff and Waukegan.
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1
Start on East Center Avenue
2806 ft · 1 min · East Center Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East Center Avenue
100 m · 23 sec · East Center Avenue
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3
Turn left onto East Scranton Avenue
88 m · 15 sec · East Scranton Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Sheridan Road
2 mi · 4 min · Sheridan Road
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5
Turn right onto Buckley Road
1090 ft · 22 sec · Buckley Road
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6
Turn right onto Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
1.3 km · 59 sec · Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
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7
Continue on Sheridan Road
2.4 mi · 3 min · Sheridan Road
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8
Turn left onto South Genesee Street
1281 ft · 33 sec · South Genesee Street
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9
At the end of the road, turn left onto Belvidere Street
889 ft · 25 sec · Belvidere Street
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10
Turn right onto South Martin Luther King Jr Avenue
1721 ft · 57 sec · South Martin Luther King Jr Avenue
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11
Turn left onto Washington Street
2932 ft · 1 min · Washington Street
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12
Turn right onto North Jackson Street
1454 ft · 40 sec · North Jackson Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Bluff 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.
Sheridan Road
Continue on Sheridan Road
2.37 mi · 00h 03m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake Bluff 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 Lake Bluff to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 8 miles (12.9 km) and usually takes 00h 15m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
North Chicago is a useful midpoint, sitting about 3.8 miles from Lake Bluff and 4.2 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 5.9 miles (9.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.06 one way or $2.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake Bluff and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near North Chicago
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 North Chicago.
Glenview station
Sturtevant station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Bluff and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 5.88 mi (9.46 km).
#1 Lake Bluff
Village in Illinois
| Population | 5,524 |
| Coordinates | 42.2789100, -87.8342400 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| 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: 13 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $1.06 | $2.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $1.19 | $2.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $1.30 | $2.61 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $1.49 | $2.97 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.