How far is Rolling Meadows, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Rolling Meadows, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 32.9 miles (52.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.1 miles (34 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 45m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 West Deerfield and Vernon townships of Lake County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rolling Meadows and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rolling Meadows and Waukegan.
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1
Start on Bluebird Lane
77 m · 12 sec · Bluebird Lane
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2
Turn right onto Campbell Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Campbell Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Rohlwing Road
1432 ft · 46 sec · Rohlwing Road
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4
Turn left onto Euclid Avenue
14 m · 1 sec · Euclid Avenue
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward IL 53 North
1982 ft · 48 sec
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6
Merge slight left
1.6 mi · 2 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward East Palatine Road
2489 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Palatine Road
6 mi · 9 min · Palatine Road
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9
Continue on Willow Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Willow Road
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10
Turn sharp left onto I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
117 m · 11 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
2066 ft · 50 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
17.3 mi · 20 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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15
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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16
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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17
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rolling Meadows 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.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
17.3 mi · 00h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Rolling Meadows 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 Rolling Meadows to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 32.9 miles (52.9 km) and usually takes 00h 45m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bannockburn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.4 miles from Rolling Meadows and 16.5 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.1 miles (34 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.37 one way or $8.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rolling Meadows and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Bannockburn
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 Bannockburn.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rolling Meadows and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 21.14 mi (34.02 km).
#1 Rolling Meadows
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 23,246 |
| Coordinates | 42.0841900, -88.0131300 |
| Altitude | 219 |
| 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: 53 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.37 | $8.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.93 | $9.87 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.40 | $10.80 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.15 | $12.31 |
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.