How far is Rossville, IL from Waukegan, IL?

The driving distance from Rossville, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 159.3 miles (256.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 137.4 miles (221.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 19m 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
159.28 mi
03h 39m
Flight
137.42 mi
221.15 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rossville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
137.42 mi
Kilometers
221.15 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
159.28 mi
Kilometers
256.33 km
Drive Time
03h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukegan
Wed, Apr 15, 5:41 PM CDT
Return by in Rossville
Wed, Apr 15, 9:21 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rossville
2026-04-15T14:01
Arrive Waukegan
Wed, Apr 15, 5:41 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:40 AM to 11:40 AM CDT

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

Leave by
9:40 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rossville
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
Peotone
IL

City in United States of America

From Rossville
79.7 mi
01h 49m
To Waukegan
79.6 mi
01h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
This Afternoon

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 PM CDT
Wind
16 mph SW
Destination
62°F
Overnight

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Attica Street

    29 m · 3 sec · East Attica Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 2300 East

    5.4 mi · 8 min · 2300 East

  3. 3

    Continue on County Road 2300 East

    11.4 mi · 17 min · County Road 2300 East

  4. 4

    Continue on South Chicago St

    1.6 km · 2 min · South Chicago St

  5. 5

    Continue on 2300 East

    9.9 mi · 15 min · 2300 East

  6. 6

    Turn left onto East Walnut Street

    2.7 mi · 7 min · East Walnut Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto North 2100 East Road

    1 mi · 2 min · North 2100 East Road

  8. 8

    Continue on North 2100 E Road

    14.8 mi · 22 min · North 2100 E Road

  9. 9

    Continue on S 7000E Road

    1.4 km · 1 min · S 7000E Road

  10. 10

    Continue on E 7000S Road

    2797 ft · 53 sec · E 7000S Road

  11. 11

    Turn left onto South Dixie Highway

    1808 ft · 31 sec · South Dixie Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on South State Route 1

    6.7 mi · 10 min · South State Route 1

  13. 13

    Turn left

    5.8 mi · 9 min

  14. 14

    Take the ramp left toward I-57 North: Chicago

    1621 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    46.7 mi · 55 min

  16. 16

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  17. 17

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

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

  18. 18

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway

  19. 19

    Continue on Edens Expressway

    13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

  21. 21

    Continue on Skokie Valley Road

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road

  22. 22

    Continue on South Skokie Highway

    8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East

    1323 ft · 36 sec

  24. 24

    Turn straight onto Belvidere Road

    1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road

  25. 25

    Continue on Belvidere Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

    2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

  27. 27

    Turn left onto South Jackson Street

    2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Rossville 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
28 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-57 North
47 mi · 30%
2300 East
15.3 mi · 10%
North 2100 E Road
14.8 mi · 9%
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 9%
County Road 2300 East
11.4 mi · 7%
South Skokie Highway
8.22 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

I-57 North

Merge slight left

46.7 mi · 00h 55m

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
03h 39m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.9 mi
137.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Peotone
01h 49m from Rossville
Leave By
9:40 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Rossville 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 Rossville to Waukegan?

The road trip is about 159.3 miles (256.3 km) and usually takes 03h 39m 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?

Peotone is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.7 miles from Rossville and 79.6 miles from Waukegan.

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

The direct path is about 137.4 miles (221.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.9 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 9:40 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.19 one way or $42.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Peotone

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

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

RAIL

Kankakee

25 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Homewood

27 mi away
18015 Park Ave.
RAIL

Dyer station

29 mi away
913 Sheffield Avenue
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

33 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rossville and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 137.42 mi (221.15 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Rossville

Village in Illinois

Population1,202
Coordinates40.3792000, -87.6686300
Altitude209
CountryUnited States
Waukegan

#2 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Start: Rossville (-87.66863, 40.3792)
End: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 256 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.62 gal
21.28 L · about $21.19
Round trip
$42.39
11.24 gal · 42.56 L
Estimated CO2
49.9 kg one way
Round trip: 99.9 kg / 220 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.19 $42.39
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.90 $47.80
Premium $4.65 $26.16 $52.31
Diesel $5.30 $29.81 $59.62

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Rossville and Waukegan. The current time is 14:01:58.

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.