How far is Lena, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Lena, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 117.2 miles (188.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 101 miles (162.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 45m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lena and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lena and Waukegan.
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1
Start on West Lena Street
28 m · 4 sec · West Lena Street
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2
Turn right onto North Schuyler Street
1 km · 56 sec · North Schuyler Street
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3
Continue on IL 73
1 mi · 2 min · IL 73
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4
Turn left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
25.4 mi · 31 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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5
Continue on West State Road
9.8 mi · 11 min · West State Road
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6
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
14.5 mi · 17 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East: Belvedere
1251 ft · 31 sec · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
13.5 mi · 20 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on West Grant Highway
5 mi · 8 min · West Grant Highway
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10
Turn left onto South State Street
2473 ft · 44 sec · South State Street
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11
Turn right onto Telegraph Street
9 mi · 13 min · Telegraph Street
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12
Turn right
1.4 km · 1 min
-
13
Turn left
7.1 mi · 12 min
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14
Turn left
5.1 mi · 8 min
-
15
Turn right onto Bull Valley Road
910 ft · 17 sec · Bull Valley Road
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16
Continue on Charles J Miller Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Charles J Miller Road
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17
At the end of the road, turn left onto South River Road
1.4 km · 2 min · South River Road
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18
Continue on Chapel Hill Road
1.1 km · 58 sec · Chapel Hill Road
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19
Turn slight right
63 m · 6 sec
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20
Turn straight onto West Elm Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Elm Street
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21
Continue on Rand Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Rand Road
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22
Continue on West Belvidere Road
10.5 mi · 16 min · West Belvidere Road
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23
Continue on Belvidere Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · 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 Lena and Waukegan.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Turn left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
25.4 mi · 00h 31m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Lena 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 Lena to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 117.2 miles (188.6 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?
Belvidere is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.5 miles from Lena and 58.7 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 101 miles (162.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.2 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 12:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.57 one way or $31.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lena and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Belvidere
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 Belvidere.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lena and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 100.95 mi (162.46 km).
#1 Lena
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 2,680 |
| Coordinates | 42.3794600, -89.8223400 |
| Altitude | 289 |
| 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: 189 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $15.57 | $31.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $17.56 | $35.13 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $19.22 | $38.44 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $21.91 | $43.81 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.