How far is Waukegan, IL from Akron, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Akron, IL is about 187.2 miles (301.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137.4 miles (221.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 39m 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 03h 49m.
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.
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 Waukegan and Akron.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Akron.
-
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
25.9 mi · 32 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Iowa
1.3 km · 1 min
-
14
Merge slight left
64.2 mi · 1 hr 9 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 180 South: Hennepin
1 mi · 2 min
-
16
Continue straight
8.7 mi · 9 min
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on Peoria
2.1 mi · 2 min
-
18
Continue straight
24.5 mi · 29 min
-
19
Turn right onto West Truitt Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · West Truitt Avenue
-
20
Continue on Truitt Road
6.6 mi · 12 min · Truitt Road
-
21
Turn left onto North State Route 40
2 mi · 4 min · North State Route 40
-
22
Turn right onto Akron Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Akron Road
-
23
Turn right onto North Elevator Road
1026 ft · 45 sec · North Elevator Road
-
24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Elevator Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Akron.
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 80 West
Merge slight left
64.2 mi · 01h 09m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Akron.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Akron?
The road trip is about 187.2 miles (301.2 km) and usually takes 03h 49m 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?
Morris is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.5 miles from Waukegan and 93.6 miles from Akron.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137.4 miles (221.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.8 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 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.89 one way or $49.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Akron.
Stop Ideas Near Morris
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 Morris.
Dwight station
Joliet Transportation Center
Plano
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Akron. Straight-line distance: 137.47 mi (221.24 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 Akron
City in United States of America
| Population | 1,023 |
| Coordinates | 40.9039300, -89.6539900 |
| Altitude | 220 |
| Country | United States |
End: Akron (-89.65399, 40.90393)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 301 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.89 | $49.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.07 | $56.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.72 | $61.43 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.01 | $70.01 |
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 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.