How far is Lake of the Woods, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Lake of the Woods, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 180 miles (289.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 151.5 miles (243.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 13m 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 36m.
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 then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake of the Woods and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake of the Woods and Waukegan.
-
1
Start on the route
42 m · 11 sec
-
2
Turn right
92 m · 24 sec
-
3
Turn right onto North Lake of the Woods Road
138 m · 12 sec · North Lake of the Woods Road
-
4
Turn right onto County Road 50
1318 ft · 1 min · County Road 50
-
5
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Prairieview Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Prairieview Road
-
6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 74 East: Champaign
1566 ft · 39 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
4.3 mi · 5 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 57: Chicago, Memphis
1869 ft · 35 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
1.1 km · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight left
120.8 mi · 2 hr 15 min
-
11
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
-
13
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
-
14
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
-
16
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
-
17
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
1323 ft · 36 sec
-
19
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road
-
20
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
-
21
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
-
22
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake of the Woods 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 57 North
Merge slight left
121 mi · 02h 15m
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 then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake of the Woods and Partly Sunny near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake of the Woods to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 180 miles (289.7 km) and usually takes 03h 36m 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?
Manteno is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90 miles from Lake of the Woods and 90 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 151.5 miles (243.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.95 one way or $47.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake of the Woods and Partly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Manteno
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 Manteno.
Kankakee
Homewood
Joliet Transportation Center
Dyer station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake of the Woods and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 151.51 mi (243.83 km).
#1 Lake of the Woods
Census designated place in Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,912 |
| Coordinates | 40.2064200, -88.3686700 |
| Altitude | 228 |
| 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: 290 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.95 | $47.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.01 | $54.01 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.55 | $59.11 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.68 | $67.36 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.