How far is Rock Grove, IL from Waukegan, IL?

The driving distance from Rock Grove, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 101.9 miles (164 km), with a travel time of about 02h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 85.3 miles (137.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
101.92 mi
02h 30m
Flight
85.33 mi
137.32 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rock Grove.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
85.33 mi
Kilometers
137.32 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
101.92 mi
Kilometers
164.03 km
Drive Time
02h 30m

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 02h 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukegan
Sat, Apr 11, 7:31 PM CDT
Return by in Rock Grove
Sat, Apr 11, 10:02 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rock Grove
2026-04-11T17:01
Arrive Waukegan
Sat, Apr 11, 7:31 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:30 AM to 12:30 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:30 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rock Grove
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Chemung
IL

Township in McHenry County, Illinois

From Rock Grove
50.9 mi
01h 15m
To Waukegan
51.1 mi
01h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE
Destination
49°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph ESE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rock Grove and Waukegan.

  1. 1

    Start on East Rock Grove Road

    4.8 mi · 7 min · East Rock Grove Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Davis Road

    2.5 mi · 4 min · North Davis Road

  3. 3

    Continue on North West Street

    1808 ft · 36 sec · North West Street

  4. 4

    Continue on North Davis Road

    693 ft · 19 sec · North Davis Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto East South Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · East South Street

  6. 6

    Continue on HWY 75

    1300 ft · 22 sec · HWY 75

  7. 7

    Continue on Freeport Road

    16.9 mi · 23 min · Freeport Road

  8. 8

    Continue on South Blackhawk Boulevard

    1.6 km · 2 min · South Blackhawk Boulevard

  9. 9

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · East Main Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Hononegah Road

    2.6 mi · 5 min · Hononegah Road

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North 2nd Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · North 2nd Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Bridge Street

    2094 ft · 46 sec · Bridge Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Belvidere Road

    4.6 mi · 8 min · Belvidere Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto West Lane Road

    1452 ft · 22 sec · West Lane Road

  15. 15

    Continue on State Route 173

    5.6 mi · 8 min · State Route 173

  16. 16

    Continue on West Grove Street

    12.4 mi · 18 min · West Grove Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto South Division Street

    2662 ft · 49 sec · South Division Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto East Diggins Street

    18.8 mi · 27 min · East Diggins Street

  19. 19

    Continue on Kenosha Road

    3.7 mi · 5 min · Kenosha Road

  20. 20

    Continue on West IL Route 173

    13.9 mi · 21 min · West IL Route 173

  21. 21

    Turn right onto North Skokie Highway

    7.4 mi · 9 min · North Skokie Highway

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 132: Grand Avenue

    1010 ft · 28 sec

  23. 23

    Keep slight left to continue on IL 132 East

    94 m · 11 sec

  24. 24

    Turn straight onto Grand Avenue

    2.8 mi · 6 min · Grand Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn right onto North Jackson Street

    1375 ft · 38 sec · North Jackson Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
26 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Diggins Street
18.8 mi · 18%
Freeport Road
16.9 mi · 17%
West IL Route 173
13.9 mi · 14%
West Grove Street
12.4 mi · 12%
North Skokie Highway
7.41 mi · 7%
State Route 173
5.55 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

East Diggins Street

Turn right onto East Diggins Street

18.8 mi · 00h 27m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.6 mi
85.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chemung
01h 15m from Rock Grove
Leave By
1:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Rock Grove 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 Rock Grove to Waukegan?

The road trip is about 101.9 miles (164 km) and usually takes 02h 30m 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?

Chemung is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.9 miles from Rock Grove and 51.1 miles from Waukegan.

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

The direct path is about 85.3 miles (137.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.6 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 1:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.58 one way or $27.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Rock Grove and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.

Stop Ideas Near Chemung

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Chemung, 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 Chemung.

BUS

South Beloit, Illinois

28 mi away
15766 Manchester Road
BUS

Rockford, Illinois

30 mi away
7559 Walton St.
BUS

Janesville, Wisconsin

43 mi away
3120 North Pontiac Drive
RAIL

Sturtevant station

71 mi away
9900 East Exploration Court

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rock Grove and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 85.33 mi (137.32 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Rock Grove

Unincorporated community in Illinois

Population1,296
Coordinates42.4630700, -89.5120600
Altitude288
CountryUnited States
Waukegan

#2 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Start: Rock Grove (-89.51206, 42.46307)
End: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 164 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.6 gal
13.61 L · about $13.58
Round trip
$27.15
7.2 gal · 27.22 L
Estimated CO2
32 kg one way
Round trip: 64 kg / 141 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.58 $27.15
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.31 $30.62
Premium $4.65 $16.75 $33.51
Diesel $5.30 $19.09 $38.19

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Rock Grove and Waukegan. The current time is 17:01:35.

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.