How far is Ottawa, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Ottawa, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 113.2 miles (182.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 87.1 miles (140.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 02m 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 02h 01m.
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.
Town in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ottawa and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ottawa and Waukegan.
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1
Start on La Salle Street
31 m · 5 sec · La Salle Street
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2
Turn slight left onto Lincoln Place
137 m · 25 sec · Lincoln Place
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3
Turn left onto Columbus Street
68 m · 11 sec · Columbus Street
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4
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.2 km · 1 min · East Main Street
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5
Turn slight left onto Green Street
2119 ft · 42 sec · Green Street
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6
Continue on North 2753rd Road
3277 ft · 1 min · North 2753rd Road
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7
Turn left
1240 ft · 26 sec
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8
Turn right
2.3 mi · 3 min
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9
Take the ramp right toward I 80 East: Joliet
1434 ft · 35 sec
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10
Merge slight left
32.8 mi · 35 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago
1892 ft · 54 sec
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12
Merge slight left
26.6 mi · 33 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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18
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · 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 Ottawa 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.
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.
Sunny leaving Ottawa and Sunny near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ottawa to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 113.2 miles (182.1 km) and usually takes 02h 01m 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?
Bolingbrook is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.5 miles from Ottawa and 56.7 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 87.1 miles (140.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.1 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 2:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.05 one way or $30.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ottawa and Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Bolingbrook
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 Bolingbrook.
Naperville
Joliet Transportation Center
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ottawa and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 87.09 mi (140.15 km).
#1 Ottawa
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 18,097 |
| Coordinates | 41.3455900, -88.8425800 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| 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: 182 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $15.05 | $30.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $16.97 | $33.94 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $18.57 | $37.14 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $21.16 | $42.33 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.