How far is Waukegan, IL from Altamont, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Altamont, IL is about 262.7 miles (422.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 233 miles (374.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 06m 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 05h 03m.
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.
Village in Iroquois County, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Altamont.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Altamont.
-
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
1368 ft · 34 sec · Belvidere Street
-
4
Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue
2.9 mi · 5 min · South Lewis Avenue
-
5
Turn right onto Buckley Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Buckley Road
-
6
Turn left onto North Skokie Highway
5.6 mi · 7 min · North Skokie Highway
-
7
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
-
8
Continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
-
9
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
-
10
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
-
11
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
200.8 mi · 3 hr 41 min
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 West: Saint Louis
9.4 mi · 10 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 128: Altamont
1878 ft · 40 sec
-
16
Turn right onto Farina Road
1 km · 1 min · Farina Road
-
17
Continue on South Main Street
2475 ft · 2 min · South Main Street
-
18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Altamont.
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 South
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
201 mi · 03h 41m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Waukegan and Rain Showers Likely near Altamont.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Altamont?
The road trip is about 262.7 miles (422.8 km) and usually takes 05h 03m 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?
Onarga is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131.4 miles from Waukegan and 131.3 miles from Altamont.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 233 miles (374.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.7 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 6:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.96 one way or $69.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Waukegan and Rain Showers Likely near Altamont.
Stop Ideas Near Onarga
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 Onarga.
Gilman
Kankakee
Rantoul
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Altamont. Straight-line distance: 232.97 mi (374.93 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 Altamont
City in Effingham County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,350 |
| Coordinates | 39.0619900, -88.7481100 |
| Altitude | 189 |
| Country | United States |
End: Altamont (-88.74811, 39.06199)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 423 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.96 | $69.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.43 | $78.85 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.14 | $86.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.17 | $98.34 |
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 10, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.