How far is Northfield, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Northfield, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 22.4 miles (36.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.5 miles (29.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 34m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Northfield and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Northfield and Waukegan.
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1
Start on Bosworth Lane
24 m · 9 sec · Bosworth Lane
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2
Turn left onto Wagner Road
647 ft · 20 sec · Wagner Road
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3
Turn right onto Willow Road
2668 ft · 1 min · Willow Road
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4
Turn left onto Central Avenue
2316 ft · 57 sec · Central Avenue
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5
Continue on Frontage Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Frontage Road
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6
Turn right onto Tower Road
670 ft · 26 sec · Tower Road
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7
Take the ramp left toward I 94 West, US 41 North
1028 ft · 25 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Edens Expressway
1.6 mi · 2 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 Northfield and Waukegan.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
South Skokie Highway
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.22 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Northfield 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 Northfield to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 22.4 miles (36.1 km) and usually takes 00h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lake Forest is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.2 miles from Northfield and 11.2 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.5 miles (29.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.98 one way or $5.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Northfield and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Lake Forest
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 Lake Forest.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Sturtevant station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Northfield and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 18.52 mi (29.81 km).
#1 Northfield
Village in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 5,387 |
| Coordinates | 42.0997500, -87.7809000 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| 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: 36 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.98 | $5.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.36 | $6.72 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.68 | $7.35 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.19 | $8.38 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.