How far is Waukegan, IL from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Aurora, IL is about 67.1 miles (108 km), with a travel time of about 01h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 48.3 miles (77.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 25m 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 01h 12m.
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.
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Aurora.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Aurora.
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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
22.1 mi · 27 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 31, IL 56 East
3174 ft · 1 min
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15
Turn right onto South Lincolnway Street
1904 ft · 53 sec · South Lincolnway Street
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16
Continue on North Lake Street
2.2 mi · 5 min · North Lake Street
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17
Turn right onto West Galena Boulevard
575 ft · 10 sec · West Galena Boulevard
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Galena Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Aurora.
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 right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
22.1 mi · 00h 27m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers near Aurora.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Aurora?
The road trip is about 67.1 miles (108 km) and usually takes 01h 12m 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?
Schiller Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 33.6 miles from Waukegan and 33.6 miles from Aurora.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 48.3 miles (77.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.8 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 4:04 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.94 one way or $17.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers near Aurora.
Stop Ideas Near Schiller Park
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 Schiller Park.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Summit
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 48.27 mi (77.69 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 Aurora
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 196,383 |
| Coordinates | 41.7605800, -88.3200700 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Galena Boulevard (-88.320111, 41.76053)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 108 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $8.94 | $17.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $10.08 | $20.16 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $11.03 | $22.06 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $12.57 | $25.14 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.