How far is Rock Island, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Rock Island, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 208.1 miles (334.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 152.4 miles (245.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 27m 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 03h 13m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rock Island and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rock Island and Waukegan.
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1
Start on 15th Street
757 ft · 33 sec · 15th Street
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2
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
1.6 mi · 4 min · 5th Avenue
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3
Continue on 38th Street
922 ft · 32 sec · 38th Street
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4
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
2834 ft · 1 min · 7th Avenue
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5
Continue on 5th Avenue
2336 ft · 1 min · 5th Avenue
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6
Continue on 5th Avenue
1820 ft · 54 sec · 5th Avenue
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7
Turn straight onto 6th Avenue
1635 ft · 53 sec · 6th Avenue
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8
Turn right onto 14th Street
100 m · 15 sec · 14th Street
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9
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
1989 ft · 1 min · 7th Avenue
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10
Turn right onto 19th Street
21 m · 1 sec · 19th Street
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11
Take the ramp slight right
1788 ft · 44 sec
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12
Merge slight left
2.3 mi · 3 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IL 5 East
1448 ft · 36 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto John Deere Road
10.6 mi · 16 min · John Deere Road
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15
Keep slight left
1799 ft · 24 sec
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16
Continue straight
43.8 mi · 47 min
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17
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
91 mi · 1 hr 41 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
35.2 mi · 43 min · Tri-State Tollway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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23
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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24
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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25
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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26
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rock Island and Waukegan.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
91 mi · 01h 41m
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 leaving Rock Island and Chance Rain Showers near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rock Island to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 208.1 miles (334.9 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?
Creston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99 miles from Rock Island and 109.1 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 152.4 miles (245.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.7 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 10:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.68 one way or $55.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Rock Island and Chance Rain Showers near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Creston
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 Creston.
Rockford, Illinois
Mendota station
Plano
South Beloit, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rock Island and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 152.4 mi (245.26 km).
#1 Rock Island
City in Illinois
| Population | 36,870 |
| Coordinates | 41.5094800, -90.5787500 |
| Altitude | 171 |
| 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: 335 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.68 | $55.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.22 | $62.43 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.16 | $68.32 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $38.93 | $77.86 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.