How far is Robinson, IL from Waukegan, IL?

The driving distance from Robinson, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 291.9 miles (469.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 232.1 miles (373.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
291.91 mi
04h 57m
Flight
232.1 mi
373.53 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Robinson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
232.1 mi
Kilometers
373.53 km
Flight Time
00h 28m

Driving Distance

Road route
291.91 mi
Kilometers
469.79 km
Drive Time
04h 57m

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 04h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukegan
Thu, Apr 16, 7:44 AM CDT
Return by in Robinson
Thu, Apr 16, 12:42 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Robinson
2026-04-16T02:46
Arrive Waukegan
Thu, Apr 16, 7:44 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:58 AM to 12:58 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:04 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Robinson
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Loda
IL

Township in Iroquois County, Illinois

From Robinson
142.5 mi
02h 28m
To Waukegan
149.4 mi
02h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 17 mph SW
Destination
69°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Robinson and Waukegan.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Robinson and Waukegan.

  1. 1

    Start on Douglas Street

    58 m · 16 sec · Douglas Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    1.7 mi · 4 min · East Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on East 1050th Avenue

    6.9 mi · 10 min · East 1050th Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on W Main St

    1 km · 57 sec · W Main St

  5. 5

    Continue on East Main Street

    2637 ft · 45 sec · East Main Street

  6. 6

    Continue on East 1050th Avenue

    12.1 mi · 18 min · East 1050th Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn right

    34.1 mi · 51 min

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Lincoln Avenue

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on Illinois Route 16

    5.3 mi · 7 min · Illinois Route 16

  10. 10

    Continue on Charleston Avenue East

    2035 ft · 39 sec · Charleston Avenue East

  11. 11

    Take the ramp slight right toward I-57 North: Champaign

    2575 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    168.6 mi · 3 hr 6 min

  13. 13

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  15. 15

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway

  16. 16

    Continue on Edens Expressway

    13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

  18. 18

    Continue on Skokie Valley Road

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road

  19. 19

    Continue on South Skokie Highway

    8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East

    1323 ft · 36 sec

  21. 21

    Turn straight onto Belvidere Road

    1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road

  22. 22

    Continue on Belvidere Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

    2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn left onto South Jackson Street

    2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Robinson and Waukegan.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
25 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-57 North
169 mi · 58%
East 1050th Avenue
19 mi · 7%
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 5%
South Skokie Highway
8.22 mi · 3%
Kennedy Expressway
8.16 mi · 3%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I-57 North

Merge slight left

169 mi · 03h 06m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 57m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+59.8 mi
232.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Loda
02h 28m from Robinson
Leave By
7:04 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Robinson and Chance 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 Robinson to Waukegan?

The road trip is about 291.9 miles (469.8 km) and usually takes 04h 57m 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?

Loda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142.5 miles from Robinson and 149.4 miles from Waukegan.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 232.1 miles (373.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.8 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 7:04 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.84 one way or $77.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Robinson and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.

Stop Ideas Near Loda

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Loda, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Loda.

RAIL

Rantoul

24 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
RAIL

Gilman

28 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Illinois Terminal

47 mi away
45 East University Ave.
BUS

Danville, Illinois

58 mi away
379 Lynch Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Robinson and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 232.1 mi (373.53 km).

Robinson

#1 Robinson

City in Illinois

Population7,271
Coordinates39.0053200, -87.7391900
Altitude162
CountryUnited States
Waukegan

#2 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Start: Douglas Street (-87.738924, 39.005319)
End: North Jackson Street (-87.844706, 42.363629)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 470 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.3 gal
38.99 L · about $38.84
Round trip
$77.68
20.6 gal · 77.98 L
Estimated CO2
91.5 kg one way
Round trip: 183.1 kg / 404 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $38.84 $77.68
Mid-grade $4.25 $43.81 $87.61
Premium $4.65 $47.94 $95.87
Diesel $5.30 $54.63 $109.26

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Robinson and Waukegan. The current time is 02:46:52.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.