How far is Mackinaw, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Mackinaw, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 188.3 miles (303 km), with a travel time of about 03h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.6 miles (239.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 35m 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 47m.
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.
Township in Grundy County, Illinois
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 Mackinaw and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mackinaw and Waukegan.
-
1
Start on East Fast Avenue
138 m · 14 sec · East Fast Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto North Main Street
1119 ft · 31 sec · North Main Street
-
3
Continue on Dee Mac Road
2115 ft · 58 sec · Dee Mac Road
-
4
Continue on Dee-Mac Road
3 mi · 5 min · Dee-Mac Road
-
5
Continue on Dee-Mac Road
2.6 mi · 4 min · Dee-Mac Road
-
6
Turn right
1.5 km · 1 min
-
7
Turn right onto County Line Road
2.1 mi · 5 min · County Line Road
-
8
At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road 1300 East
1108 ft · 17 sec · County Road 1300 East
-
9
Continue on West Martin Drive
1.2 km · 2 min · West Martin Drive
-
10
Turn left
125 m · 11 sec
-
11
Take the ramp right toward I 74 East
1340 ft · 20 sec
-
12
Merge slight left
14 mi · 15 min
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
1.4 mi · 3 min
-
14
Merge slight left
113.6 mi · 2 hr 7 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
-
17
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
-
20
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
-
21
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
-
22
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
-
23
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
-
24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mackinaw 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 55 North
Merge slight left
114 mi · 02h 07m
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 leaving Mackinaw 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 Mackinaw to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 188.3 miles (303 km) and usually takes 03h 47m 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?
Braceville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.1 miles from Mackinaw and 94.1 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.6 miles (239.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.7 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 9:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.04 one way or $50.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Mackinaw and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Braceville
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 Braceville.
Dwight station
Kankakee
Joliet Transportation Center
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mackinaw and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 148.54 mi (239.06 km).
#1 Mackinaw
City in Tazewell County, Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 2,430 |
| Coordinates | 40.5369800, -89.3575900 |
| Altitude | 209 |
| 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: 303 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.04 | $50.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.24 | $56.48 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.90 | $61.81 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.22 | $70.44 |
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.