How far is Plano, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Plano, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 82.6 miles (132.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 60.1 miles (96.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 07m 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 01h 33m.
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.
Village in United States of America
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 Plano and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plano and Waukegan.
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1
Start on East Main Street
1221 ft · 44 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left onto Lew Street
1543 ft · 46 sec · Lew Street
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3
Turn right onto East Lee Street
1082 ft · 30 sec · East Lee Street
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4
Continue on Big Rock Avenue
2060 ft · 57 sec · Big Rock Avenue
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5
Continue on Rock Creek Road
3.2 mi · 6 min · Rock Creek Road
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6
At the end of the road, turn right onto Galena Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Galena Road
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7
Turn left onto North Bridge Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Bridge Street
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8
Continue straight
2.9 mi · 3 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 56 East: Chicago
2171 ft · 53 sec
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10
Merge slight left
24.8 mi · 31 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
35.2 mi · 43 min · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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17
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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18
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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19
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Plano and Waukegan.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
35.2 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Plano 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 Plano to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 82.6 miles (132.9 km) and usually takes 01h 33m 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?
Hillside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.2 miles from Plano and 41.4 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 60.1 miles (96.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.5 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 3:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.97 one way or $21.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Plano and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Hillside
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 Hillside.
La Grange Road
Summit
Chicago Union Station
Glenview station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Plano and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 60.06 mi (96.66 km).
#1 Plano
City in Kendall County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 11,879 |
| Coordinates | 41.6628100, -88.5370200 |
| Altitude | 198 |
| 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: 133 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $10.97 | $21.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.38 | $24.75 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $13.54 | $27.09 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $15.43 | $30.87 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.