How far is Thornton, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Thornton, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 62.7 miles (100.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 56.3 miles (90.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 32m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 United States of America
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 Thornton and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Waukegan.
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1
Start on Margaret Street
1512 ft · 46 sec · Margaret Street
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2
Turn right onto Williams Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · Williams Street
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3
Continue on State Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · State Street
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4
Continue on South Indiana Avenue
2.5 mi · 5 min · South Indiana Avenue
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 130th Street
102 m · 7 sec · East 130th Street
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6
Continue on South Indiana Avenue
1552 ft · 32 sec · South Indiana Avenue
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7
Turn left onto East 127th Street
635 ft · 16 sec · East 127th Street
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8
Turn right onto South Michigan Avenue
3.5 mi · 7 min · South Michigan Avenue
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9
Turn left onto South Wabash Avenue
52 m · 5 sec · South Wabash Avenue
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10
Take the ramp slight left toward I 94 West
1515 ft · 37 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Bishop Ford Freeway
824 ft · 13 sec · Bishop Ford Freeway
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12
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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14
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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15
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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17
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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18
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
1323 ft · 36 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road
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21
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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22
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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23
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton 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.
Edens Expressway
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Thornton 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 Thornton to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 62.7 miles (100.9 km) and usually takes 01h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lincolnwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.3 miles from Thornton and 31.3 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 56.3 miles (90.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.33 one way or $16.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Thornton and Mostly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Lincolnwood
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 Lincolnwood.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 56.3 mi (90.6 km).
#1 Thornton
Village in Cook County, Illinois, USA
| Population | 2,367 |
| Coordinates | 41.5680900, -87.6081000 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| 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: 101 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $8.33 | $16.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $9.40 | $18.80 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $10.29 | $20.57 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $11.72 | $23.44 |
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 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.