How far is Northlake, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Northlake, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.9 miles (49.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 36m 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 00h 48m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Illinois, United States of America
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 Northlake and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Northlake and Waukegan.
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1
Start on East Dickens Avenue
3137 ft · 2 min · East Dickens Avenue
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2
Turn left onto North Mannheim Road
2.8 mi · 5 min · North Mannheim Road
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3
Turn right onto Irving Park Road
1357 ft · 23 sec · Irving Park Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
1739 ft · 42 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
28.2 mi · 34 min · Tri-State Tollway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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7
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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8
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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9
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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10
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Northlake 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.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
28.2 mi · 00h 34m
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 Northlake 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 Northlake to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?
Riverwoods is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.5 miles from Northlake and 18.6 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.9 miles (49.8 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.94 one way or $9.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Northlake and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Riverwoods
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 Riverwoods.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Northlake and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 30.95 mi (49.81 km).
#1 Northlake
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 12,025 |
| Coordinates | 41.9172500, -87.8956200 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| 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: 60 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.94 | $9.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.57 | $11.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.10 | $12.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.95 | $13.90 |
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 · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.