How far is Royalton, IL from Waukegan, IL?

The driving distance from Royalton, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 356.2 miles (573.2 km), with a travel time of about 06h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 317.1 miles (510.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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
356.19 mi
06h 50m
Flight
317.16 mi
510.42 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Royalton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
317.16 mi
Kilometers
510.42 km
Flight Time
00h 38m

Driving Distance

Road route
356.19 mi
Kilometers
573.24 km
Drive Time
06h 50m

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 06h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukegan
Thu, Apr 16, 3:13 AM CDT
Return by in Royalton
Thu, Apr 16, 10:03 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Royalton
2026-04-15T20:22
Arrive Waukegan
Thu, Apr 16, 3:13 AM CDT
Route Timing
06h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
12:51 PM to 2:21 PM CDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
10:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Royalton
8:00 PM CDT
Overnight-style route

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
Savoy
IL

Town

From Royalton
178.2 mi
03h 25m
To Waukegan
178 mi
03h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 18 mph SSW
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 Royalton and Waukegan.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 3rd South Street

    21 m · 7 sec · 3rd South Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route

    4 m · 1 sec

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout

    3.3 mi · 6 min

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Linden Street

    2231 ft · 45 sec · Linden Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Illinois Route 149

    5.5 mi · 10 min · Illinois Route 149

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Illinois Route 149

    33 m · 2 sec · Illinois Route 149

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto Illinois Route 149

    1267 ft · 26 sec · Illinois Route 149

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route

    1023 ft · 17 sec

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout

    1714 ft · 42 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway

    31 mi · 34 min · Ken Gray Expressway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway

    67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago

    195.2 mi · 3 hr 34 min

  14. 14

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  15. 15

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

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

  16. 16

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway

  17. 17

    Continue on Edens Expressway

    13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on Skokie Valley Road

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road

  20. 20

    Continue on South Skokie Highway

    8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East

    1323 ft · 36 sec

  22. 22

    Turn straight onto Belvidere Road

    1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road

  23. 23

    Continue on Belvidere Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

    2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn left onto South Jackson Street

    2647 ft · 1 min · South 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 Royalton and Waukegan.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
26 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
1 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 North
195 mi · 55%
Ken Gray Expressway
98.4 mi · 28%
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 4%
South Skokie Highway
8.22 mi · 2%
Kennedy Expressway
8.16 mi · 2%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 57 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago

195 mi · 03h 34m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

Better with a longer stop

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

Drive Time
06h 50m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
13h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.1 mi
317.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Savoy
03h 25m from Royalton
Leave By
10:18 PM CDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Royalton 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 Royalton to Waukegan?

The road trip is about 356.2 miles (573.2 km) and usually takes 06h 50m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Savoy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 178.2 miles from Royalton and 178 miles from Waukegan.

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

The direct path is about 317.1 miles (510.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.1 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.40 one way or $94.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 111.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Royalton and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.

Stop Ideas Near Savoy

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

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

RAIL

Illinois Terminal

7 mi away
45 East University Ave.
RAIL

Rantoul

29 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
BUS

Danville, Illinois

53 mi away
379 Lynch Road
RAIL

Mattoon station

65 mi away
1718 Broadway Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Royalton and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 317.16 mi (510.42 km).

Royalton

#1 Royalton

City in Minnesota

Population1,110
Coordinates37.8769900, -89.1145200
Altitude120
CountryUnited States
Waukegan

#2 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Start: Royalton (-89.11452, 37.87699)
End: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 573 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)11h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)07h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)05h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
12.57 gal
47.58 L · about $47.40
Round trip
$94.80
25.14 gal · 95.16 L
Estimated CO2
111.7 kg one way
Round trip: 223.4 kg / 493 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $47.40 $94.80
Mid-grade $4.25 $53.46 $106.92
Premium $4.65 $58.50 $117.00
Diesel $5.30 $66.67 $133.34

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 Royalton and Waukegan. The current time is 20:22:27.

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.