How far is McLeansboro, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from McLeansboro, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 347.7 miles (559.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 297.3 miles (478.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 43m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McLeansboro and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McLeansboro and Waukegan.
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1
Start on South Jackson Street
78 m · 10 sec · South Jackson Street
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2
Turn left onto Market Street
15.4 mi · 23 min · Market Street
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3
Turn right onto North Main Street
2277 ft · 46 sec · North Main Street
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4
Continue on North Brehm Lane
2.2 mi · 4 min · North Brehm Lane
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5
Continue on County Highway 17
2187 ft · 49 sec · County Highway 17
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6
Turn left
2679 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
14.4 mi · 16 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195.2 mi · 3 hr 34 min
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10
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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12
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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13
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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15
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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16
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
1323 ft · 36 sec
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18
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road
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19
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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20
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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21
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McLeansboro and Waukegan.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195 mi · 03h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving McLeansboro 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 McLeansboro to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 347.7 miles (559.5 km) and usually takes 06h 43m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Champaign is a useful midpoint, sitting about 173.9 miles from McLeansboro and 173.7 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 297.3 miles (478.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.4 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.27 one way or $92.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around McLeansboro and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Champaign
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 Champaign.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Mattoon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McLeansboro and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 297.28 mi (478.43 km).
#1 McLeansboro
City in Illinois
| Population | 2,730 |
| Coordinates | 38.0933800, -88.5356100 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| 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: 559 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $46.27 | $92.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $52.18 | $104.37 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $57.10 | $114.21 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $65.08 | $130.16 |
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.