How far is Matteson, IL from Waukegan, IL?

The driving distance from Matteson, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 74.6 miles (120 km), with a travel time of about 01h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 59.8 miles (96.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 46m 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
74.53 mi
01h 23m
Flight
59.78 mi
96.21 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Matteson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
59.78 mi
Kilometers
96.21 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
74.53 mi
Kilometers
119.95 km
Drive Time
01h 23m

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 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukegan
Tue, May 12, 7:53 PM CDT
Return by in Matteson
Tue, May 12, 9:17 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Matteson
2026-05-12T18:30
Arrive Waukegan
Tue, May 12, 7:53 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 23m
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 Matteson
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
Northlake
IL

City in Cook County, Illinois, United States

From Matteson
35.9 mi
00h 41m
To Waukegan
38.7 mi
00h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph SSW
Destination
74°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Governors Highway

    762 ft · 20 sec · Governors Highway

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Lincoln Highway

    1 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Highway

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Cicero Avenue

    10.8 mi · 17 min · Cicero Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 North: Wisconsin

    2787 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    17.3 mi · 21 min · Tri-State Tollway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road

    1923 ft · 47 sec

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto Belvidere Road

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road

  9. 9

    Continue on Belvidere Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

    2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto South Jackson Street

    2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Tri-State Tollway
54.4 mi · 73%
Cicero Avenue
10.8 mi · 14%
Belvidere Road
1.87 mi · 3%
Belvidere Street
1.65 mi · 2%
Lincoln Highway
1.01 mi · 1%
I 294 North
0.53 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

37 mi · 00h 45m

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 23m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.8 mi
59.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Northlake
00h 41m from Matteson
Leave By
3:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Matteson and Chance 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 Matteson to Waukegan?

The road trip is about 74.6 miles (120 km) and usually takes 01h 23m 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?

Northlake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.9 miles from Matteson and 38.7 miles from Waukegan.

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

The direct path is about 59.8 miles (96.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.8 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 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 $9.92 one way or $19.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Matteson and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.

Stop Ideas Near Northlake

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Northlake, 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 Northlake.

RAIL

La Grange Road

11 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

15 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.
RAIL

Glenview station

19 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

22 mi away
225 South Canal Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Matteson and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 59.78 mi (96.21 km).

Matteson

#1 Matteson

Village in United States of America

Population19,322
Coordinates41.5039200, -87.7131000
Altitude211
CountryUnited States
Waukegan

#2 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Start: Governors Highway (-87.713106, 41.503887)
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 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.63 gal
9.96 L · about $9.92
Round trip
$19.84
5.26 gal · 19.92 L
Estimated CO2
23.4 kg one way
Round trip: 46.7 kg / 103 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.92 $19.84
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.19 $22.37
Premium $4.65 $12.24 $24.48
Diesel $5.30 $13.95 $27.90

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Matteson and Waukegan. The current time is 18:30:37.

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.