How far is Waukegan, IL from Athens, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Athens, IL is about 225.2 miles (362.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 192.6 miles (310 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 47m 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 04h 23m.
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.
Township in Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Athens.
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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
22.7 mi · 29 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119.4 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
47.8 mi · 51 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 123: Williamsville
1678 ft · 41 sec
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15
Keep slight right
112 m · 9 sec
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16
Turn straight onto County Highway 2
644 ft · 12 sec · County Highway 2
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17
Continue on Dinius Road
2.9 mi · 4 min · Dinius Road
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18
Continue on County Road 11 North
3.6 mi · 6 min · County Road 11 North
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19
Turn right
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
20
Turn left onto Springfield Road
1810 ft · 1 min · Springfield Road
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21
Continue on East Hargrave Street
2666 ft · 2 min · East Hargrave Street
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22
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Main Street
33 m · 4 sec · North Main Street
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23
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 Athens.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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 Showers And Thunderstorms near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Athens?
The road trip is about 225.2 miles (362.4 km) and usually takes 04h 23m 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?
Odell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.6 miles from Waukegan and 112.7 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 192.6 miles (310 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.98 one way or $59.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Waukegan and Showers And Thunderstorms near Athens.
Stop Ideas Near Odell
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 Odell.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Gilman
Kankakee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Athens. Straight-line distance: 192.64 mi (310.03 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 Athens
City in Menard County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,893 |
| Coordinates | 39.9608800, -89.7239900 |
| Altitude | 183 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athens (-89.72399, 39.96088)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 362 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.98 | $59.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.81 | $67.62 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $37.00 | $74.00 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $42.17 | $84.33 |
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.