How far is Waukegan, IL from Alden, IL?

The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Alden, IL is about 41 miles (66 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 35 miles (56.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
41.02 mi
01h 00m
Flight
34.96 mi
56.27 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waukegan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
34.96 mi
Kilometers
56.27 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
41.02 mi
Kilometers
66.01 km
Drive Time
01h 00m

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 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Alden
Wed, Apr 15, 10:39 PM CDT
Return by in Waukegan
Wed, Apr 15, 11:39 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waukegan
2026-04-15T21:38
Arrive Alden
Wed, Apr 15, 10:39 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:01 AM to 11:01 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:28 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waukegan
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Lake Catherine
IL

Census-designated place in Illinois, United States

From Waukegan
20.4 mi
00h 30m
To Alden
20.6 mi
00h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Overnight

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW
Destination
57°F
Tonight

Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 8:00 PM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Alden.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Alden.

  1. 1

    Start on North Jackson Street

    1375 ft · 45 sec · North Jackson Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Grand Avenue

    2.8 mi · 6 min · Grand Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward US 41 North: Milwaukee

    152 m · 14 sec

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on US 41 North

    806 ft · 22 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Skokie Highway

    7.4 mi · 9 min · Skokie Highway

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Rosecrans Road

    13.9 mi · 21 min · Rosecrans Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Kenosha Road

    3.7 mi · 5 min · Kenosha Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Kenosha Street

    12.7 mi · 18 min · Kenosha Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Alden Road

    3 m · 1 sec · Alden Road

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Alden Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Alden.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
10 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Rosecrans Road
13.9 mi · 34%
Kenosha Street
12.7 mi · 31%
Skokie Highway
7.39 mi · 18%
Kenosha Road
3.72 mi · 9%
Grand Avenue
2.79 mi · 7%
North Jackson Street
0.26 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Rosecrans Road

Turn left onto Rosecrans Road

13.9 mi · 00h 21m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6 mi
35 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake Catherine
00h 30m from Waukegan
Leave By
4:28 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waukegan and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Alden.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Alden?

The road trip is about 41 miles (66 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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?

Lake Catherine is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.4 miles from Waukegan and 20.6 miles from Alden.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 35 miles (56.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 6 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 4:28 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.47 one way or $10.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukegan and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Alden.

Stop Ideas Near Lake Catherine

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lake Catherine, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lake Catherine.

RAIL

Sturtevant station

33 mi away
9900 East Exploration Court
RAIL

Glenview station

53 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station

54 mi away
5601 South 6th Street
RAIL

Milwaukee Intermodal Station

64 mi away
433 West St. Paul Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Alden. Straight-line distance: 34.96 mi (56.27 km).

Waukegan

#1 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Alden

Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America

Population1,344
Coordinates42.4589100, -88.5178800
Altitude306
CountryUnited States
Start: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
End: Alden (-88.51788, 42.45891)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 66 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.45 gal
5.48 L · about $5.47
Round trip
$10.94
2.9 gal · 10.96 L
Estimated CO2
12.9 kg one way
Round trip: 25.8 kg / 57 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $5.47 $10.94
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.17 $12.33
Premium $4.65 $6.75 $13.50
Diesel $5.30 $7.69 $15.38

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Waukegan and Alden. The current time is 21:38:35.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.