How far is Waukegan, IL from Bristol, IL?

The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Bristol, IL is about 78 miles (125.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 55.6 miles (89.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
78.05 mi
01h 42m
Flight
55.6 mi
89.48 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waukegan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
55.6 mi
Kilometers
89.48 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
78.05 mi
Kilometers
125.61 km
Drive Time
01h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bristol
Tue, May 12, 9:56 PM CDT
Return by in Waukegan
Tue, May 12, 11:39 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waukegan
2026-05-12T20:14
Arrive Bristol
Tue, May 12, 9:56 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:42 AM to 11:42 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:06 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waukegan
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Berkeley
IL

Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States of America

From Waukegan
39 mi
00h 51m
To Bristol
39 mi
00h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph SSW
Destination
75°F
Tuesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Belvidere Road

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago

    1511 ft · 37 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    13.9 mi · 16 min · Tri-State Tollway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    20.1 mi · 25 min · Tri-State Tollway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

    1.5 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    1251 ft · 31 sec · Tri-State Tollway

  10. 10

    Continue on Tri-State Tollway

    1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 88 West Toll: Aurora

    2633 ft · 50 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

    1.2 km · 60 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

    25.1 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on IL 56 West: Sugar Grove

    4.2 mi · 6 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 East, IL 47: Sugar Grove, Elburn

    956 ft · 33 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on IL 47 South, US 30 East: Sugar Grove

    667 ft · 14 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Illinois Route 47

    983 ft · 19 sec · Illinois Route 47

  18. 18

    Continue on United States Route 30

    2.8 mi · 3 min · United States Route 30

  19. 19

    Continue on North Bridge Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North Bridge Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Galena Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Galena Road

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Cannonball Trail

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Cannonball Trail

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cannonball Trail

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Bristol.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
22 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Tri-State Tollway
35 mi · 45%
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
25.8 mi · 33%
IL 56 West
4.24 mi · 5%
United States Route 30
2.83 mi · 4%
Belvidere Road
2.15 mi · 3%
Belvidere Street
1.65 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

25.1 mi · 00h 30m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.4 mi
55.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Berkeley
00h 51m from Waukegan
Leave By
3:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waukegan and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bristol.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 78 miles (125.6 km) and usually takes 01h 42m 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?

Berkeley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39 miles from Waukegan and 39 miles from Bristol.

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

The direct path is about 55.6 miles (89.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.4 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 3:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.41 one way or $20.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukegan and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bristol.

Stop Ideas Near Berkeley

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

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

RAIL

La Grange Road

9 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

13 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.
RAIL

Glenview station

22 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

22 mi away
225 South Canal Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Bristol. Straight-line distance: 55.6 mi (89.48 km).

Waukegan

#1 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

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

#2 Bristol

Township in Kendall County, Illinois

Population30,486
Coordinates41.6855900, -88.4281300
Altitude195
CountryUnited States
Start: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
End: Bristol (-88.42813, 41.68559)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 126 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.76 gal
10.43 L · about $10.41
Round trip
$20.82
5.52 gal · 20.86 L
Estimated CO2
24.5 kg one way
Round trip: 49.1 kg / 108 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.41 $20.82
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.74 $23.48
Premium $4.65 $12.85 $25.69
Diesel $5.30 $14.64 $29.28

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Waukegan and Bristol. The current time is 20:14:37.

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.