How far is Villa Grove, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Villa Grove, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 196.9 miles (316.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 173.5 miles (279.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 17m 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 08m.
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.
City in Kankakee County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Villa Grove and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Villa Grove and Waukegan.
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1
Start on the route
21 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto West Adams Street
151 m · 27 sec · West Adams Street
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3
Turn left onto North Sycamore Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Sycamore Street
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4
Continue on County Road 1600 E
8.1 mi · 14 min · County Road 1600 E
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5
Continue on South Lincoln Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · South Lincoln Street
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6
Continue on County Road 1600 East
5.6 mi · 10 min · County Road 1600 East
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7
Continue on South High Cross Road
1.4 km · 2 min · South High Cross Road
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8
Continue on North High Cross Road
2733 ft · 1 min · North High Cross Road
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9
Turn left onto East University Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · East University Avenue
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10
Continue straight
2344 ft · 42 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 74 West: Bloomington
3242 ft · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left
3.8 mi · 5 min
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13
Take the exit straight toward Neil Street
1391 ft · 34 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on North Neil Street
752 ft · 26 sec · North Neil Street
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15
Turn right onto East Marketview Drive
1336 ft · 38 sec · East Marketview Drive
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Market Street
3 mi · 4 min · North Market Street
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17
Take the ramp right toward I-57 North: Kankakee
1642 ft · 40 sec
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18
Merge slight left
117.8 mi · 2 hr 11 min
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19
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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21
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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22
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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24
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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25
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
1323 ft · 36 sec
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27
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road
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28
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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29
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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30
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Villa Grove 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
118 mi · 02h 11m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Villa Grove and 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 Villa Grove to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 196.9 miles (316.8 km) and usually takes 04h 08m 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?
Kankakee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.5 miles from Villa Grove and 98.4 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 173.5 miles (279.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.4 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 8:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.21 one way or $52.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Villa Grove and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Kankakee
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 Kankakee.
Kankakee
Gilman
Dwight station
Joliet Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Villa Grove and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 173.58 mi (279.35 km).
#1 Villa Grove
City in Douglas County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,414 |
| Coordinates | 39.8628100, -88.1622700 |
| Altitude | 198 |
| 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: 317 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.21 | $52.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.56 | $59.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.35 | $64.69 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.86 | $73.73 |
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.