How far is Prospect Heights, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Prospect Heights, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 27.3 miles (44 km), with a travel time of about 00h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.1 miles (30.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 37m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Prospect Heights and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prospect Heights and Waukegan.
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1
Start on West Camp McDonald Road
66 m · 12 sec · West Camp McDonald Road
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2
Turn left onto North Elmhurst Road
1.6 km · 2 min · North Elmhurst Road
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3
Turn right onto East Frontage Road
2636 ft · 1 min · East Frontage Road
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4
Turn left onto South Wheeling Road
11 m · 5 sec · South Wheeling Road
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5
Turn right onto Palatine Road
2.3 mi · 3 min · Palatine Road
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6
Continue on Willow Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Willow Road
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7
Turn sharp left onto I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
117 m · 11 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
2066 ft · 50 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
17.3 mi · 20 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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12
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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13
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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14
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Prospect Heights and Waukegan.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
17.3 mi · 00h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Prospect Heights and Sunny near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Prospect Heights to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 27.3 miles (44 km) and usually takes 00h 37m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mettawa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.6 miles from Prospect Heights and 13.7 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.1 miles (30.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:14 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.62 one way or $7.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Prospect Heights and Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Mettawa
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 Mettawa.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Prospect Heights and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 19.14 mi (30.8 km).
#1 Prospect Heights
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 15,702 |
| Coordinates | 42.0953000, -87.9375700 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| 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: 44 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.62 | $7.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.08 | $8.17 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.47 | $8.94 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.09 | $10.18 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.