How far is New Lenox, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from New Lenox, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 71.5 miles (115.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 59.2 miles (95.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 42m 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 01h 21m.
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.
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between New Lenox and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Lenox and Waukegan.
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1
Start on the route
66 m · 23 sec
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2
Turn left onto East Haven Avenue
53 m · 10 sec · East Haven Avenue
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North Cedar Road
32 m · 2 sec · North Cedar Road
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4
Exit the roundabout onto North Cedar Road
2.5 mi · 6 min · North Cedar Road
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5
Turn left onto Maple Road
1060 ft · 18 sec · Maple Road
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 355 Toll North: West Suburbs
3244 ft · 57 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
10.9 mi · 12 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago
1.2 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
6.9 mi · 9 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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16
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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17
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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18
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between New Lenox and Waukegan.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving New Lenox and Chance Rain Showers near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from New Lenox to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 71.5 miles (115.1 km) and usually takes 01h 21m 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 35.3 miles from New Lenox and 36.3 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 59.2 miles (95.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.54 one way or $19.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around New Lenox and Chance Rain Showers near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Northlake
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 Northlake.
La Grange Road
Summit
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between New Lenox and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 59.17 mi (95.22 km).
#1 New Lenox
Village in Illinois
| Population | 27,088 |
| Coordinates | 41.5119800, -87.9656100 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| 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: North Jackson Street (-87.844706, 42.363629)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 115 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $9.54 | $19.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $10.76 | $21.52 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $11.77 | $23.55 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $13.42 | $26.84 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.