How far is Riley, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Riley, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 52.1 miles (83.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42 miles (67.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 49m 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 24m.
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 Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Sunny
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Riley and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riley and Waukegan.
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1
Start on Riley Road
44 m · 9 sec · Riley Road
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2
Turn right onto Anthony Road
1.2 km · 3 min · Anthony Road
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3
Turn left onto South State Street
4.7 mi · 7 min · South State Street
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4
Turn right onto Telegraph Street
9 mi · 13 min · Telegraph Street
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5
Turn right
1.4 km · 1 min
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6
Turn left
7.1 mi · 12 min
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7
Turn left
5.1 mi · 8 min
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8
Turn right onto Bull Valley Road
910 ft · 17 sec · Bull Valley Road
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9
Continue on Charles J Miller Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Charles J Miller Road
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10
At the end of the road, turn left onto South River Road
1.4 km · 2 min · South River Road
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11
Continue on Chapel Hill Road
1.1 km · 58 sec · Chapel Hill Road
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12
Turn slight right
63 m · 6 sec
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13
Turn straight onto West Elm Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Elm Street
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14
Continue on Rand Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Rand Road
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15
Continue on West Belvidere Road
10.5 mi · 16 min · West Belvidere Road
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16
Continue on Belvidere Road
6.3 mi · 9 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 Riley 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.
West Belvidere Road
Continue on West Belvidere Road
10.5 mi · 00h 16m
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.
Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Sunny leaving Riley and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riley to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 52.1 miles (83.8 km) and usually takes 01h 24m 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?
Prairie Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26 miles from Riley and 26.1 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42 miles (67.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.94 one way or $13.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Sunny around Riley and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Prairie Grove
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 Prairie Grove.
Glenview station
Naperville
Sturtevant station
Rockford, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riley and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 41.99 mi (67.58 km).
#1 Riley
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 2,823 |
| Coordinates | 42.1914100, -88.6325900 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| 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: 84 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.94 | $13.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.83 | $15.65 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $8.56 | $17.13 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $9.76 | $19.52 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.