How far is Waukegan, IL from Cairo, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Cairo, IL is about 411.5 miles (662.2 km), with a travel time of about 07h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 376.9 miles (606.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 15h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 07h 44m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Township in Douglas County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Cairo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Cairo.
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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
200.8 mi · 3 hr 41 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
65.7 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
90 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 51 South, IL 3 North: Cairo
3.8 mi · 7 min
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17
Turn slight left onto Washington Avenue
93 m · 9 sec · Washington Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Cairo.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 South
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
201 mi · 03h 41m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Rain Showers leaving Waukegan and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cairo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Cairo?
The road trip is about 411.5 miles (662.2 km) and usually takes 07h 44m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Arcola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 205.9 miles from Waukegan and 205.5 miles from Cairo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 376.9 miles (606.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.6 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $54.75 one way or $109.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 129 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cairo.
Stop Ideas Near Arcola
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 Arcola.
Mattoon station
Illinois Terminal
Effingham
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Cairo. Straight-line distance: 376.92 mi (606.59 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 Cairo
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,989 |
| Coordinates | 37.0053300, -89.1764600 |
| Altitude | 95 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cairo (-89.17646, 37.00533)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 662 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $54.75 | $109.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $61.75 | $123.51 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $67.58 | $135.15 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $77.01 | $154.03 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.