How far is Plainfield, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Plainfield, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 259 miles (416.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 225.7 miles (363.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 40m 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 20m.
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 Iroquois County, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Plainfield and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plainfield and Waukegan.
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1
Start on North 1280th Street
19 m · 6 sec · North 1280th Street
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2
Turn right onto North Street
1912 ft · 54 sec · North Street
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3
Turn right onto North 1250th Street
4.7 mi · 7 min · North 1250th Street
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4
Continue on County Road 1700E
2.1 mi · 3 min · County Road 1700E
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5
Continue on South Haughton Highway
4 mi · 6 min · South Haughton Highway
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6
Continue on 1700E
1.3 mi · 2 min · 1700E
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7
Continue on North Haughton Highway
1945 ft · 33 sec · North Haughton Highway
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8
Continue on County Road 1775 E
1.3 km · 1 min · County Road 1775 E
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9
Continue on County Road 1825 E
2 mi · 3 min · County Road 1825 E
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10
Continue on Route 130
10 mi · 15 min · Route 130
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11
Continue on Illinois Route 130
1.2 km · 1 min · Illinois Route 130
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12
Continue on 18th Street
1.6 mi · 2 min · 18th Street
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13
Turn left onto Lincoln Avenue
2.5 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Avenue
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14
Continue on Illinois Route 16
5.3 mi · 7 min · Illinois Route 16
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15
Continue on Charleston Avenue East
2035 ft · 39 sec · Charleston Avenue East
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16
Take the ramp slight right toward I-57 North: Champaign
2575 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left
168.6 mi · 3 hr 6 min
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18
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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20
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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21
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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23
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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24
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
1323 ft · 36 sec
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26
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road
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27
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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28
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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29
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Plainfield 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-57 North
Merge slight left
169 mi · 03h 06m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Plainfield and Chance Rain Showers near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Plainfield to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 259 miles (416.9 km) and usually takes 04h 20m 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?
Onarga is a useful midpoint, sitting about 128.6 miles from Plainfield and 130.5 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 225.7 miles (363.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.3 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 8:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.47 one way or $68.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Plainfield and Chance Rain Showers near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Onarga
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 Onarga.
Gilman
Kankakee
Rantoul
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Plainfield and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 225.76 mi (363.32 km).
#1 Plainfield
Village in Illinois, United States
| Population | 44,542 |
| Coordinates | 39.1036500, -88.1353200 |
| Altitude | 171 |
| 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: 417 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.47 | $68.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.87 | $77.74 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $42.54 | $85.08 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $48.48 | $96.96 |
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 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.