How far is Lancaster, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Lancaster, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 311.4 miles (501.1 km), with a travel time of about 06h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 263.6 miles (424.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 40m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lancaster and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lancaster and Waukegan.
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1
Start on the route
5.3 mi · 13 min
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2
Continue on East Lancaster Road
3.5 mi · 9 min · East Lancaster Road
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3
Continue on Champion Drive
1.2 km · 2 min · Champion Drive
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4
Continue on County Road 1850 N
2 mi · 5 min · County Road 1850 N
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5
Turn right onto 500E
14.3 mi · 20 min · 500E
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6
Continue on South West Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · South West Street
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7
Continue on County Road 1100 East
6.7 mi · 9 min · County Road 1100 East
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8
Continue on South Van Buren Street
11 mi · 15 min · South Van Buren Street
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9
Turn right
36.3 mi · 54 min
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10
Turn left onto Lincoln Avenue
2.5 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Avenue
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11
Continue on Illinois Route 16
5.3 mi · 7 min · Illinois Route 16
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12
Continue on Charleston Avenue East
2035 ft · 39 sec · Charleston Avenue East
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13
Take the ramp slight right toward I-57 North: Champaign
2575 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left
168.6 mi · 3 hr 6 min
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15
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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17
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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18
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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20
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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21
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
1323 ft · 36 sec
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23
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road
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24
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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25
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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26
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lancaster and Waukegan.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I-57 North
Merge slight left
169 mi · 03h 06m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Lancaster 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 Lancaster to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 311.4 miles (501.1 km) and usually takes 06h 40m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Ludlow is a useful midpoint, sitting about 155.8 miles from Lancaster and 155.6 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 263.6 miles (424.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.8 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.44 one way or $82.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Lancaster and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Ludlow
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 Ludlow.
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Gilman
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lancaster and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 263.65 mi (424.3 km).
#1 Lancaster
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,411 |
| Coordinates | 38.5478300, -87.8653100 |
| Altitude | 148 |
| 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: 501 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.44 | $82.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.74 | $93.48 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $51.15 | $102.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $58.29 | $116.58 |
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.