How far is Mason City, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Mason City, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 215.9 miles (347.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 177.6 miles (285.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 36m 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 04h 18m.
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.
Village in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mason City and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mason City and Waukegan.
-
1
Start on West Chestnut Street
6.8 mi · 11 min · West Chestnut Street
-
2
Continue on North Peoria Street
9.3 mi · 16 min · North Peoria Street
-
3
Turn left
2693 ft · 1 min
-
4
Merge slight left
2681 ft · 33 sec
-
5
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
-
6
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
120.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
-
12
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
-
13
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
-
14
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
-
15
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
-
16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mason City 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
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
121 mi · 02h 14m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Mason City and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mason City to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 215.9 miles (347.4 km) and usually takes 04h 18m 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?
Dwight is a useful midpoint, sitting about 107.9 miles from Mason City and 107.9 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 177.6 miles (285.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.3 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 8:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.74 one way or $57.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Mason City and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Dwight
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 Dwight.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Kankakee
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mason City and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 177.64 mi (285.89 km).
#1 Mason City
Township in Mason County, Illinois
| Population | 2,088 |
| Coordinates | 40.2022700, -89.6981600 |
| Altitude | 177 |
| 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: 347 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.74 | $57.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.41 | $64.82 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $35.46 | $70.93 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $40.42 | $80.83 |
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.