How far is Waukegan, IL from Carthage, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Carthage, IL is about 297.6 miles (478.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 217.2 miles (349.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 37m 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 05h 48m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Carthage.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Carthage.
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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
20.1 mi · 25 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1.5 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1251 ft · 31 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 West Toll: Aurora
2633 ft · 50 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.2 km · 60 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
25.1 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
69.5 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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15
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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16
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
37.8 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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17
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
5.4 mi · 6 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 80: Peoria
7.1 mi · 8 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
31.3 mi · 34 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 34 West: Monmouth
49.6 mi · 59 min
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21
Continue on East 1200th Street
1.2 mi · 1 min · East 1200th Street
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22
Continue on North Lafayette Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Lafayette Street
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23
Turn right onto West Calhoun Street
929 ft · 27 sec · West Calhoun Street
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24
Continue on North Johnson Street
121 m · 11 sec · North Johnson Street
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25
Turn right onto West Jackson Street
6.2 mi · 10 min · West Jackson Street
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26
Continue on Macomb Street
2971 ft · 50 sec · Macomb Street
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27
Continue on East North Street
1 km · 56 sec · East North Street
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28
Continue on East Campbell Street
3.1 mi · 5 min · East Campbell Street
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29
Turn right onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
13.6 mi · 16 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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30
Take the exit slight right toward US 136 West, IL 94 North: Carthage, Keokuk
1.6 mi · 3 min
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31
Turn right onto North Madison Street
19 m · 1 sec · North Madison Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Madison Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Carthage.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
69.5 mi · 01h 14m
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 Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carthage.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Carthage?
The road trip is about 297.6 miles (478.9 km) and usually takes 05h 48m 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?
Round Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 148.6 miles from Waukegan and 148.9 miles from Carthage.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 217.2 miles (349.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 80.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.60 one way or $79.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carthage.
Stop Ideas Near Round Grove
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 Round Grove.
Princeton
Kewanee
Moline, Illinois
Rock Island, IL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Carthage. Straight-line distance: 217.25 mi (349.63 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 Carthage
City in and county seat of Hancock County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,419 |
| Coordinates | 40.4164300, -91.1362500 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carthage (-91.13625, 40.41643)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 479 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.60 | $79.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.66 | $89.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.87 | $97.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.69 | $111.38 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.