How far is Ramsey, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Ramsey, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 266.1 miles (428.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 232 miles (373.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 47m 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 05h 23m.
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 Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ramsey and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ramsey and Waukegan.
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1
Start on East Front Street
33 m · 13 sec · East Front Street
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2
Turn left onto West Main Street
59 m · 14 sec · West Main Street
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3
Turn left onto South Superior Street
14.6 mi · 17 min · South Superior Street
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4
Continue on County Road 2400 East
2 mi · 3 min · County Road 2400 East
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5
Continue on Fair Avenue
3070 ft · 2 min · Fair Avenue
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6
Continue on South Poplar Street
2138 ft · 32 sec · South Poplar Street
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7
Turn right onto East 1st Street
2150 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street
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8
Turn left onto Cedar Street
116 m · 5 sec · Cedar Street
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9
Turn right onto Jackson Street
2709 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street
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10
Continue on North 2600 East Road
1.6 km · 2 min · North 2600 East Road
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11
Turn left
28.7 mi · 33 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Decatur
2582 ft · 1 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Decatur
44 m · 4 sec
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14
Turn straight onto South Business Route 51
2.6 mi · 4 min · South Business Route 51
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15
Continue on South Main Street
769 ft · 19 sec · South Main Street
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16
Continue on South Franklin Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Franklin Street
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17
Continue on North Water Street
27.4 mi · 37 min · North Water Street
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18
Continue on North 1450 East Road
14.7 mi · 18 min · North 1450 East Road
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
122.1 mi · 2 hr 16 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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21
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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25
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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26
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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27
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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28
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ramsey 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 74 West
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
122 mi · 02h 16m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Ramsey 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 Ramsey to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 266.1 miles (428.3 km) and usually takes 05h 23m 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?
Rooks Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 133.1 miles from Ramsey and 133 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 232 miles (373.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.1 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 6:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.41 one way or $70.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Ramsey and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Rooks 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 Rooks Creek.
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Uptown Station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ramsey and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 232.04 mi (373.43 km).
#1 Ramsey
Village in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,003 |
| Coordinates | 39.1444900, -89.1086800 |
| Altitude | 186 |
| 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: 428 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.41 | $70.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.94 | $79.87 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.70 | $87.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.80 | $99.61 |
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.