How far is Waukegan, IL from Atwood, IL?

The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Atwood, IL is about 207.3 miles (333.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 180.1 miles (289.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
207.3 mi
04h 09m
Flight
180.06 mi
289.78 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waukegan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
180.06 mi
Kilometers
289.78 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
207.3 mi
Kilometers
333.61 km
Drive Time
04h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Atwood
Fri, Apr 10, 10:53 PM CDT
Return by in Waukegan
Sat, Apr 11, 3:03 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waukegan
2026-04-10T18:44
Arrive Atwood
Fri, Apr 10, 10:53 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:09 AM to 12:09 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:42 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waukegan
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Otto
IL

Township in Kankakee County, Illinois

From Waukegan
103.7 mi
02h 04m
To Atwood
103.6 mi
02h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Friday

Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NNE
Destination
65°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Jackson Street

    2647 ft · 1 min · North Jackson Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue

    2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Belvidere Street

    1368 ft · 34 sec · Belvidere Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue

    2.9 mi · 5 min · South Lewis Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Buckley Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Buckley Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Skokie Highway

    5.6 mi · 7 min · North Skokie Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Skokie Valley Road

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Skokie Highway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Edens Expressway

    13.7 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

  10. 10

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

    138.5 mi · 2 hr 34 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Tolono, Pesotum, Tuscola

    1328 ft · 28 sec

  15. 15

    Turn straight

    8 mi · 12 min

  16. 16

    Turn right

    825 ft · 30 sec

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto County Road 950 North

    8.8 mi · 13 min · County Road 950 North

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Main Street

    2959 ft · 59 sec · Main Street

  19. 19

    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 Atwood.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
138 mi · 67%
Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 7%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.83 mi · 4%
County Road 950 North
8.81 mi · 4%
Kennedy Expressway
8.12 mi · 4%
North Skokie Highway
5.61 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

138 mi · 02h 34m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 09m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.2 mi
180.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Otto
02h 04m from Waukegan
Leave By
8:42 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Waukegan and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Atwood.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 207.3 miles (333.6 km) and usually takes 04h 09m 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?

Otto is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.7 miles from Waukegan and 103.6 miles from Atwood.

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

The direct path is about 180.1 miles (289.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.2 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 8:42 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.57 one way or $55.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Waukegan and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Atwood.

Stop Ideas Near Otto

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Otto, 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 Otto.

RAIL

Kankakee

8 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Gilman

33 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Dwight station

45 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

55 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Atwood. Straight-line distance: 180.06 mi (289.78 km).

Waukegan

#1 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Atwood

#2 Atwood

City in Rawlins County, Kansas, United States

Population1,155
Coordinates39.7994800, -88.4622800
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Start: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
End: Atwood (-88.46228, 39.79948)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 334 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.31 gal
27.69 L · about $27.57
Round trip
$55.13
14.62 gal · 55.38 L
Estimated CO2
65 kg one way
Round trip: 129.9 kg / 286 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.57 $55.13
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.09 $62.18
Premium $4.65 $34.02 $68.04
Diesel $5.30 $38.77 $77.54

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 10, 2026

There is no time difference between Waukegan and Atwood. The current time is 18:44:50.

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.