How far is Lansing, IL from Waukegan, IL?

The driving distance from Lansing, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 74.8 miles (120.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 22m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 57.4 miles (92.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
74.81 mi
01h 22m
Flight
57.39 mi
92.36 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lansing.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
57.39 mi
Kilometers
92.36 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
74.81 mi
Kilometers
120.4 km
Drive Time
01h 22m

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 01h 22m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukegan
Wed, May 13, 6:02 PM CDT
Return by in Lansing
Wed, May 13, 7:24 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lansing
2026-05-13T16:39
Arrive Waukegan
Wed, May 13, 6:02 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 22m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:23 AM to 11:23 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:44 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lansing
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Lincolnwood
IL

Village in United States of America

From Lansing
33.1 mi
00h 41m
To Waukegan
41.8 mi
00h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NNW
Destination
62°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lansing and Waukegan.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lansing and Waukegan.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    7 m · 7 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Ridge Road

    1 mi · 2 min · Ridge Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Torrence Avenue

    1.4 km · 1 min · Torrence Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left

    1 km · 1 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West, IL 394 South: Danville, Chicago

    1106 ft · 17 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Chicago

    9 mi · 12 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Bishop Ford Freeway

  8. 8

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  10. 10

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Edens Expressway

    13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Skokie Valley Road

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road

  14. 14

    Continue on South Skokie Highway

    8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East

    1323 ft · 36 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto Belvidere Road

    1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road

  17. 17

    Continue on Belvidere Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

    2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto South Jackson Street

    2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lansing and Waukegan.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
20 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 18%
I 94 West
9.22 mi · 12%
South Skokie Highway
8.22 mi · 11%
Kennedy Expressway
8.16 mi · 11%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11%
Skokie Highway
3.84 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Edens Expressway

Continue on Edens Expressway

13.5 mi · 00h 17m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 22m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.4 mi
57.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lincolnwood
00h 41m from Lansing
Leave By
3:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Lansing 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 Lansing to Waukegan?

The road trip is about 74.8 miles (120.4 km) and usually takes 01h 22m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Lincolnwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 33.1 miles from Lansing and 41.8 miles from Waukegan.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 57.4 miles (92.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.96 one way or $19.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lansing and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.

Stop Ideas Near Lincolnwood

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lincolnwood, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lincolnwood.

RAIL

Glenview station

10 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

16 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

24 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

25 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lansing and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 57.39 mi (92.36 km).

Lansing

#1 Lansing

Village in Illinois, USA

Population27,059
Coordinates41.5647600, -87.5389300
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
Waukegan

#2 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Start: Ridge Road (-87.538921, 41.564825)
End: North Jackson Street (-87.844706, 42.363629)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 120 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.64 gal
9.99 L · about $9.96
Round trip
$19.91
5.28 gal · 19.98 L
Estimated CO2
23.5 kg one way
Round trip: 46.9 kg / 103 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.96 $19.91
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.23 $22.46
Premium $4.65 $12.29 $24.57
Diesel $5.30 $14.00 $28.01

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Lansing and Waukegan. The current time is 16:39:32.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.