How far is Waukegan, IL from Byron, IL?

The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Byron, IL is about 97.1 miles (156.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 74 miles (119.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 23m 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
97.11 mi
02h 11m
Flight
73.99 mi
119.08 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
73.99 mi
Kilometers
119.08 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
97.11 mi
Kilometers
156.29 km
Drive Time
02h 11m

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 02h 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Byron
Tue, May 12, 10:54 PM CDT
Return by in Waukegan
Wed, May 13, 1:06 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waukegan
2026-05-12T20:42
Arrive Byron
Tue, May 12, 10:54 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:12 AM to 12:12 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:06 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
Huntley
IL

Village in McHenry and Kane counties, Illinois, United States

From Waukegan
48.5 mi
01h 05m
To Byron
48.7 mi
01h 05m

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
76°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    6.3 mi · 9 min · Belvidere Road

  5. 5

    Continue on East Belvidere Road

    1 mi · 2 min · East Belvidere Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto South Atkinson Road

    2824 ft · 58 sec · South Atkinson Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Ivanhoe Road

    3.7 mi · 6 min · Ivanhoe Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Schank Avenue

    797 ft · 24 sec · Schank Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn right

    5.4 mi · 9 min

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Barrington Road

    2852 ft · 1 min · Barrington Road

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    7.8 mi · 13 min

  12. 12

    Turn slight right

    87 m · 5 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on New Sutton Road

    6.3 mi · 10 min · New Sutton Road

  14. 14

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 West Toll: Rockford

    2305 ft · 56 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    41.6 mi · 45 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington

    1.1 km · 1 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight right

    2475 ft · 30 sec

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    2.1 mi · 2 min

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

    5.4 mi · 6 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 2: Rockford, Dixon

    1810 ft · 44 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight left

    52 m · 6 sec

  22. 22

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · South Main Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto South Main Road

    9.1 mi · 14 min · South Main Road

  24. 24

    Continue on East Blackhawk Drive

    1.5 mi · 2 min · East Blackhawk Drive

  25. 25

    Turn right onto North Union Street

    664 ft · 32 sec · North Union Street

  26. 26

    Turn right

    40 m · 12 sec

  27. 27

    Turn right

    27 m · 6 sec

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
28 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
41.6 mi · 43%
South Main Road
9.15 mi · 9%
Barrington Road
8.31 mi · 9%
New Sutton Road
6.3 mi · 6%
Belvidere Road
6.29 mi · 6%
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
5.43 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

41.6 mi · 00h 45m

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
02h 11m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.1 mi
74 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Huntley
01h 05m from Waukegan
Leave By
2:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waukegan and Chance Rain near Byron.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 97.1 miles (156.3 km) and usually takes 02h 11m 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?

Huntley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.5 miles from Waukegan and 48.7 miles from Byron.

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

The direct path is about 74 miles (119.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.1 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 2:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.93 one way or $25.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukegan and Chance Rain near Byron.

Stop Ideas Near Huntley

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

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

BUS

Rockford, Illinois

47 mi away
7559 Walton St.
RAIL

Naperville

49 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Glenview station

52 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Plano

57 mi away
101 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Byron. Straight-line distance: 73.99 mi (119.08 km).

Waukegan

#1 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

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

#2 Byron

City in Ogle County, Illinois, United States

Population3,650
Coordinates42.1269700, -89.2556600
Altitude222
CountryUnited States
Start: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
End: Byron (-89.25566, 42.12697)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 156 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.43 gal
12.97 L · about $12.93
Round trip
$25.87
6.86 gal · 25.94 L
Estimated CO2
30.5 kg one way
Round trip: 61 kg / 134 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.93 $25.87
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.59 $29.18
Premium $4.65 $15.96 $31.93
Diesel $5.30 $18.19 $36.39

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 Byron. The current time is 20:42:57.

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.