How far is South Pekin, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from South Pekin, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 207 miles (333.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.5 miles (256.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 15m 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 07m.
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.
Village in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Pekin and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Pekin and Waukegan.
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1
Start on East Main Street
1 km · 2 min · East Main Street
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2
Turn right
5.5 mi · 10 min
-
3
Turn slight right onto IL 29
51 m · 6 sec
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4
Turn slight right onto Margaret Street
1266 ft · 27 sec · Margaret Street
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5
Turn left onto North 5th Street
2478 ft · 42 sec · North 5th Street
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6
Continue on North 8th Street
3002 ft · 51 sec · North 8th Street
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7
Continue on Radio City Drive
3.5 mi · 5 min · Radio City Drive
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8
Take the ramp slight right
2974 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
4.8 mi · 5 min
-
10
Merge slight left
27 mi · 29 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
1.4 mi · 3 min
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12
Merge slight left
113.6 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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18
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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19
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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20
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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21
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Pekin 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 55 North
Merge slight left
114 mi · 02h 07m
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.
Sunny leaving South Pekin 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 South Pekin to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 207 miles (333.1 km) and usually takes 04h 07m 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?
Dwight is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.5 miles from South Pekin and 103.5 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.5 miles (256.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.5 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 8:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.53 one way or $55.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around South Pekin and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Dwight
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 Dwight.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Kankakee
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Pekin and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 159.49 mi (256.68 km).
#1 South Pekin
Village in Illinois, USA
| Population | 1,081 |
| Coordinates | 40.4944800, -89.6517700 |
| Altitude | 157 |
| 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: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 333 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.53 | $55.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.05 | $62.09 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.97 | $67.95 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $38.72 | $77.44 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.