How far is Pekin, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Pekin, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 200.8 miles (323.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 155 miles (249.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 37m 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 03h 18m.
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.
Village in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Pekin and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pekin and Waukegan.
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1
Start on South 8th Street
53 m · 3 sec · South 8th Street
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2
Turn straight onto Ann Eliza Street
1194 ft · 20 sec · Ann Eliza Street
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3
Turn straight
56 m · 3 sec
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4
Turn straight onto North 5th Street
2114 ft · 36 sec · North 5th Street
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5
Continue on North 8th Street
3002 ft · 51 sec · North 8th Street
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6
Continue on Radio City Drive
3.5 mi · 5 min · Radio City Drive
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7
Take the ramp slight right
2974 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left
4.8 mi · 5 min
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9
Merge slight left
27 mi · 29 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
1.4 mi · 3 min
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11
Merge slight left
113.6 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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17
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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18
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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19
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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20
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Pekin 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.
I 55 North
Merge slight left
114 mi · 02h 07m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Pekin 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 Pekin to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 200.8 miles (323.2 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?
Gardner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.4 miles from Pekin and 100.5 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 155 miles (249.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.8 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 10:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.74 one way or $53.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Pekin and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Gardner
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 Gardner.
Dwight station
Kankakee
Joliet Transportation Center
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Pekin and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 155.06 mi (249.54 km).
#1 Pekin
County seat of Tazewell County, Illinois
| Population | 31,808 |
| Coordinates | 40.5675400, -89.6406600 |
| Altitude | 153 |
| 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: 323 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.74 | $53.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.15 | $60.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.00 | $65.99 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.61 | $75.21 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.