How far is Peoria Heights, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Peoria Heights, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 185.3 miles (298.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 143 miles (230.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 22m 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 11m.
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.
Township in Grundy County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Scattered Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Peoria Heights and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Peoria Heights and Waukegan.
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1
Start on North Prospect Road
1 m · 4 sec · North Prospect Road
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2
Turn left onto North Grand View Drive
1.1 km · 2 min · North Grand View Drive
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3
Turn left onto East Roosevelt Road
2181 ft · 2 min · East Roosevelt Road
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4
Turn left onto North Galena Road
5.4 mi · 8 min · North Galena Road
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5
Keep slight left
98 m · 4 sec
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6
Keep slight right
45 m · 2 sec
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7
Continue on North Galena Road
2326 ft · 36 sec · North Galena Road
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8
Continue on North State Route 29
6.1 mi · 8 min · North State Route 29
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9
Continue on South 4th Street
9.1 mi · 11 min · South 4th Street
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10
Continue on Railroad Street
1.1 mi · 1 min · Railroad Street
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11
Continue on County Road 1400 East
17.8 mi · 20 min · County Road 1400 East
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12
Merge slight right
8.9 mi · 10 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Joliet
2040 ft · 44 sec
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14
Merge slight left
65 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago
1892 ft · 54 sec
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16
Merge slight left
26.6 mi · 33 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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22
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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23
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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24
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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25
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Peoria Heights and Waukegan.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 80 East
Merge slight left
65 mi · 01h 10m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Peoria Heights and Scattered Rain Showers near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Peoria Heights to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 185.3 miles (298.2 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?
Nettle Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.4 miles from Peoria Heights and 89.9 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 143 miles (230.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.3 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 10:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.66 one way or $49.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Peoria Heights and Scattered Rain Showers near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Nettle Creek
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 Nettle Creek.
Plano
Dwight station
Joliet Transportation Center
Mendota station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Peoria Heights and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 143.05 mi (230.22 km).
#1 Peoria Heights
Village in eastern Peoria County, Illinois
| Population | 5,722 |
| Coordinates | 40.7472600, -89.5739800 |
| Altitude | 239 |
| 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: 298 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.66 | $49.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.81 | $55.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.44 | $60.87 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.69 | $69.38 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.