How far is Waukegan, IL from Blue Ridge, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Blue Ridge, IL is about 179.6 miles (289 km), with a travel time of about 03h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.6 miles (239.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 30m 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 03h 45m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Blue Ridge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Blue Ridge.
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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
1368 ft · 34 sec · Belvidere Street
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4
Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue
2.9 mi · 5 min · South Lewis Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Buckley Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Buckley Road
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6
Turn left onto North Skokie Highway
5.6 mi · 7 min · North Skokie Highway
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7
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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8
Continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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9
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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10
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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11
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
108.1 mi · 2 hr 1 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 136: Rantoul, Fisher
1572 ft · 45 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on US 136: Rantoul, Fisher
1290 ft · 37 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Champaign Avenue
2.4 mi · 4 min · Champaign Avenue
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17
Continue on County Road 3000 North
5.5 mi · 8 min · County Road 3000 North
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18
Continue on East Division Street
1 mi · 2 min · East Division Street
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19
Continue on County Road 3000 North
5.4 mi · 7 min · County Road 3000 North
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20
Continue on East 200 North Road
2 mi · 3 min · East 200 North Road
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21
Turn left onto North 4000 East Road
2 mi · 5 min · North 4000 East Road
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22
Continue on North 1300 East Road
1 mi · 3 min · North 1300 East Road
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23
Turn left onto East 3300 North Road
2712 ft · 2 min · East 3300 North Road
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24
Turn left
139 m · 33 sec
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Blue Ridge.
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
108 mi · 02h 01m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Sunny near Blue Ridge.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Blue Ridge?
The road trip is about 179.6 miles (289 km) and usually takes 03h 45m 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?
Manteno is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.8 miles from Waukegan and 89.8 miles from Blue Ridge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.6 miles (239.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 31 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 9:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.91 one way or $47.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Sunny near Blue Ridge.
Stop Ideas Near Manteno
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 Manteno.
Kankakee
Homewood
Joliet Transportation Center
Dyer station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Blue Ridge. Straight-line distance: 148.61 mi (239.16 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 Blue Ridge
Unincorporated community in Illinois
| Population | 1,416 |
| Coordinates | 40.2678100, -88.4881200 |
| Altitude | 240 |
| Country | United States |
End: Blue Ridge (-88.48812, 40.26781)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 289 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.91 | $47.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.96 | $53.93 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.51 | $59.01 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.63 | $67.25 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.