How far is Paris, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Paris, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 246.2 miles (396.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 190.3 miles (306.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 00m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Paris and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paris and Waukegan.
-
1
Start on West Court Street
102 m · 20 sec · West Court Street
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2
Turn left onto IL Route 1
2.4 mi · 6 min · IL Route 1
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3
Continue on Georgetown Road
10 mi · 15 min · Georgetown Road
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4
Continue on 1575 E US 36
1700 ft · 29 sec · 1575 E US 36
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5
Continue on Georgetown Road
6.1 mi · 9 min · Georgetown Road
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6
Continue on North State Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · North State Street
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7
Continue on Georgetown Road
13.5 mi · 20 min · Georgetown Road
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward I 74 East: Indianapolis
2333 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
9.1 mi · 10 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward SR 63: Terre Haute, Newport
3011 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight right
18 mi · 23 min
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12
Continue straight
80.6 mi · 1 hr 46 min
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13
Turn left onto West Lincoln Highway
746 ft · 24 sec · West Lincoln Highway
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14
Continue on Joliet Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · Joliet Street
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15
Continue on Lincoln Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · Lincoln Highway
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16
Continue on Glenwood Dyer Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · Glenwood Dyer Road
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17
Take the ramp slight right toward IL 394 North
2063 ft · 50 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Calumet Expressway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Calumet Expressway
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19
Continue on Bishop Ford Freeway
7.9 mi · 11 min · Bishop Ford Freeway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway
2.8 mi · 4 min · Bishop Ford Freeway
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21
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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23
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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24
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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26
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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27
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway
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28
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
1323 ft · 36 sec
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29
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road
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30
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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31
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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32
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Paris 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.
SR 63
Continue straight
80.6 mi · 01h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Paris 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 Paris to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 246.2 miles (396.2 km) and usually takes 04h 00m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Hopkins Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.2 miles from Paris and 138 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 190.3 miles (306.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.77 one way or $65.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Paris and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Hopkins 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 Hopkins Park.
Kankakee
Rensselaer
Gilman
Dyer station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Paris and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 190.34 mi (306.32 km).
#1 Paris
City in Illinois
| Population | 8,144 |
| Coordinates | 39.6111500, -87.6961400 |
| Altitude | 220 |
| 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: 396 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.77 | $65.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.96 | $73.92 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.44 | $80.89 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.09 | $92.18 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.