How far is Shelbyville, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Shelbyville, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 252.6 miles (406.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 210.2 miles (338.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 23m 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 04h 11m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Iroquois County, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Shelbyville and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shelbyville and Waukegan.
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1
Start on East Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
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2
Continue on Route 16
10.2 mi · 15 min · Route 16
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3
Continue on Kentucky Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · Kentucky Avenue
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4
Continue on Route 16
5.2 mi · 8 min · Route 16
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5
Continue on Illinois Route 16
1.3 mi · 2 min · Illinois Route 16
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6
Continue on Marshall Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · Marshall Avenue
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7
Continue on Route 16
1.5 mi · 2 min · Route 16
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8
Continue on Marshall Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · Marshall Avenue
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9
Turn left onto South 21st Street
1164 ft · 21 sec · South 21st Street
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10
Turn right onto Charleston Avenue
3.2 mi · 6 min · Charleston Avenue
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11
Turn right onto I-57 North: Champaign
1422 ft · 49 sec
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12
Merge slight left
168.9 mi · 3 hr 6 min
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13
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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15
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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16
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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18
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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19
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
1323 ft · 36 sec
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21
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road
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22
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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23
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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24
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Shelbyville and Waukegan.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I-57 North
Merge slight left
169 mi · 03h 06m
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 Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny leaving Shelbyville 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 Shelbyville to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 252.6 miles (406.5 km) and usually takes 04h 11m 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?
Gilman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.1 miles from Shelbyville and 128.5 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 210.2 miles (338.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.4 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 8:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.60 one way or $67.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny around Shelbyville and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Gilman
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 Gilman.
Gilman
Kankakee
Dwight station
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Shelbyville and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 210.2 mi (338.28 km).
#1 Shelbyville
Township in Shelby County, Illinois
| Population | 4,420 |
| Coordinates | 39.4064300, -88.7900700 |
| Altitude | 195 |
| 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: 407 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.60 | $67.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.89 | $75.79 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.47 | $82.93 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.26 | $94.52 |
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.