How far is Waukegan, IL from Amboy, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Amboy, IL is about 132.2 miles (212.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88.4 miles (142.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 43m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Illinois, United States of America
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 Amboy.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Amboy.
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1
Start on North Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · North Jackson Street
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2
Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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4
Continue on Belvidere Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
1511 ft · 37 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
13.9 mi · 16 min · Tri-State Tollway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
20.1 mi · 25 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1.5 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1251 ft · 31 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 West Toll: Aurora
2633 ft · 50 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.2 km · 60 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
25.1 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
35.4 mi · 38 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington, Normal
1786 ft · 43 sec
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16
Merge slight left
9.8 mi · 10 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 30: Sterling, Rock Falls, Aurora
2027 ft · 49 sec
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18
Turn right
16.3 mi · 22 min
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19
Turn left
3 mi · 5 min
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20
Turn left onto East Main Street
58 m · 11 sec · East Main Street
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21
Turn left
5 m · 1 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Amboy.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
35.4 mi · 00h 38m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Amboy.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Amboy?
The road trip is about 132.2 miles (212.7 km) and usually takes 02h 43m 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?
North Aurora is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.1 miles from Waukegan and 66.2 miles from Amboy.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 88.4 miles (142.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:04 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.61 one way or $35.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Amboy.
Stop Ideas Near North Aurora
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 North Aurora.
Naperville
Plano
Joliet Transportation Center
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Amboy. Straight-line distance: 88.38 mi (142.24 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 Amboy
City in Lee County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,841 |
| Coordinates | 41.7142000, -89.3287100 |
| Altitude | 227 |
| Country | United States |
End: Amboy (-89.32871, 41.7142)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 213 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.61 | $35.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.86 | $39.72 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.73 | $43.47 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.77 | $49.54 |
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.