How far is Waukegan, IL from Carol Stream, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Carol Stream, IL is about 51.2 miles (82.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34.5 miles (55.6 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.
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 Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny
Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Carol Stream.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Carol Stream.
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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
3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Willow Road
1072 ft · 26 sec
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9
Keep slight right
1015 ft · 25 sec
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10
Turn right onto Willow Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Willow Road
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11
Continue on Palatine Road
6.2 mi · 9 min · Palatine Road
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12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 53 South
1330 ft · 33 sec
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13
Merge slight left
3.2 mi · 4 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
7 mi · 9 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
4.6 mi · 6 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 64: North Avenue
1535 ft · 38 sec
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17
Turn right onto North Avenue
5.3 mi · 9 min · North Avenue
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18
Turn right onto Kuhn Road
2294 ft · 59 sec · Kuhn Road
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19
Turn right onto Thunderbird Trail
62 m · 11 sec · Thunderbird Trail
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20
Turn right onto Aztec Drive
49 m · 8 sec · Aztec Drive
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21
Turn left onto West Thunderbird Trail
1243 ft · 55 sec · West Thunderbird Trail
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Thunderbird Trail
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Carol Stream.
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.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
13.9 mi · 00h 16m
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.
Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Carol Stream.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Carol Stream?
The road trip is about 51.2 miles (82.4 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?
Prospect Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.6 miles from Waukegan and 25.6 miles from Carol Stream.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 34.5 miles (55.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.7 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 $6.83 one way or $13.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Carol Stream.
Stop Ideas Near Prospect Heights
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 Prospect Heights.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Carol Stream. Straight-line distance: 34.53 mi (55.57 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 Carol Stream
Town
| Population | 38,821 |
| Coordinates | 41.9125300, -88.1347900 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carol Stream (-88.13479, 41.91253)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 82 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.83 | $13.65 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.70 | $15.40 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $8.42 | $16.85 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $9.60 | $19.20 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.