How far is North Center, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from North Center, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 35.8 miles (57.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 29.6 miles (47.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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 00h 57m.
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 Lake County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Center and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Center and Waukegan.
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1
Start on the route
21 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right
22 m · 5 sec
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3
Turn left onto West Irving Park Road
2.7 mi · 5 min · West Irving Park Road
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4
Turn slight right onto Kennedy Irving Park Road
119 m · 16 sec · Kennedy Irving Park Road
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5
Turn right onto North Keeler Avenue
120 m · 20 sec · North Keeler Avenue
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6
Take the ramp left toward I 90 West, I 94 West
806 ft · 22 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Kennedy Expressway
2640 ft · 41 sec · Kennedy Expressway
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8
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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10
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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11
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
1323 ft · 36 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road
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14
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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15
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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16
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Center 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.
Edens Expressway
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 00h 17m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving North Center 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 North Center to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 35.8 miles (57.6 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?
Highland Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.8 miles from North Center and 18 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 29.6 miles (47.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.2 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:36 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.80 one way or $11.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around North Center and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Highland Park
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 Highland Park.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Center and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 29.55 mi (47.56 km).
#1 North Center
North Center is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 41.9539200, -87.6789500 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| 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: 58 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.61 | $5.80 | $11.61 |
| Mid-grade | $5.24 | $6.60 | $13.20 |
| Premium | $5.79 | $7.30 | $14.60 |
| Diesel | $6.59 | $8.31 | $16.61 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026