How far is Port Byron, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Port Byron, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 178.6 miles (287.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.2 miles (222.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 15m 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 37m.
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.
The county seat of DeKalb County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Port Byron and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Port Byron and Waukegan.
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1
Start on Cherry Street
25 m · 9 sec · Cherry Street
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2
Turn left onto South High Street
2748 ft · 48 sec · South High Street
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3
Turn right onto Agnes Street
2703 ft · 1 min · Agnes Street
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4
Continue on 94th Avenue North
7.2 mi · 17 min · 94th Avenue North
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5
Turn sharp right onto Moline Road
1777 ft · 53 sec · Moline Road
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6
Take the ramp slight right
1378 ft · 34 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
33.2 mi · 36 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
91 mi · 1 hr 41 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
35.2 mi · 43 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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15
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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16
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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17
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Port Byron and Waukegan.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
91 mi · 01h 41m
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.
Sunny leaving Port Byron 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 Port Byron to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 178.6 miles (287.4 km) and usually takes 03h 37m 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?
DeKalb is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.2 miles from Port Byron and 89.4 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.2 miles (222.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.4 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 9:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.76 one way or $47.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Port Byron and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near DeKalb
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 DeKalb.
Plano
Rockford, Illinois
Mendota station
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Port Byron and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 138.19 mi (222.4 km).
#1 Port Byron
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,597 |
| Coordinates | 41.6064200, -90.3354100 |
| Altitude | 184 |
| 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: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 287 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.76 | $47.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.79 | $53.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.32 | $58.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.42 | $66.83 |
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.