How far is Waukegan, IL from Adams, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Adams, IL is about 331.2 miles (533 km), with a travel time of about 06h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 245.4 miles (395 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 33m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
The second most populous city in McLean County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Adams.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Adams.
-
1
Start on North Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · North Jackson Street
-
2
Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
-
4
Continue on Belvidere Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
1511 ft · 37 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
13.9 mi · 16 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
22.7 mi · 29 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
-
12
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119.4 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
87.3 mi · 1 hr 34 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 96: Payson, Hull
1695 ft · 41 sec
-
16
Turn right onto Illinois Route 96
2.7 mi · 5 min · Illinois Route 96
-
17
Continue on South Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · South Avenue
-
18
Turn right onto South Avenue
1.1 mi · 4 min · South Avenue
-
19
Continue on East 1700th Street
4.2 mi · 16 min · East 1700th Street
-
20
Turn left onto County Road 38
1 km · 3 min · County Road 38
-
21
Turn right onto County Road 1635E
99 m · 19 sec · County Road 1635E
-
22
Turn left onto County Road 735N
99 m · 14 sec · County Road 735N
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road 735N
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Adams.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119 mi · 02h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Adams.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Adams?
The road trip is about 331.2 miles (533 km) and usually takes 06h 33m 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?
Bloomington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 165.5 miles from Waukegan and 165.7 miles from Adams.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 245.4 miles (395 km), while the road route adds roughly 85.8 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 $44.08 one way or $88.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 103.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Adams.
Stop Ideas Near Bloomington
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bloomington.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Pontiac station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Adams. Straight-line distance: 245.45 mi (395.02 km).
#1 Waukegan
The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.
| Population | 85,453 |
| Coordinates | 42.3636300, -87.8447900 |
| Altitude | 199 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Adams
Civil town in Adams County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,536 |
| Coordinates | 39.8653200, -91.1982000 |
| Altitude | 235 |
| Country | United States |
End: Adams (-91.1982, 39.86532)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 533 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $44.08 | $88.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $49.72 | $99.44 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $54.41 | $108.81 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $62.00 | $124.01 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.