How far is Waukegan, IL from Central City, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Central City, IL is about 306.5 miles (493.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 272 miles (437.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 43m 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 51m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Central City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Central City.
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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
40.9 mi · 44 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
2330 ft · 57 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on US 50: Salem, Sandoval
25 m · 2 sec
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17
Turn right onto West Main Street
2.2 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
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18
Continue on East Poplar Street
2.7 mi · 3 min · East Poplar Street
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19
Continue on Poplar
2.7 mi · 3 min · Poplar
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Mine Street
135 m · 6 sec · North Mine Street
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21
Continue on N Mine St
990 ft · 13 sec · N Mine St
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22
Continue on North Mine Street
3231 ft · 54 sec · North Mine Street
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23
Continue on County Road 180 E
4.4 mi · 6 min · County Road 180 E
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24
Continue on North Commercial Street
988 ft · 23 sec · North Commercial Street
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25
Turn left onto Hardin Street
82 m · 12 sec · Hardin Street
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26
Continue on East Hardin
677 ft · 32 sec · East Hardin
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27
Turn right onto North Harrison Street
23 m · 3 sec · North Harrison Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Harrison Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Central City.
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.
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 Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Central City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Central City?
The road trip is about 306.5 miles (493.2 km) and usually takes 05h 51m 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?
Ludlow is a useful midpoint, sitting about 153.3 miles from Waukegan and 153.2 miles from Central City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 272 miles (437.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.5 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 5:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.80 one way or $81.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Central City.
Stop Ideas Near Ludlow
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 Ludlow.
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Gilman
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Central City. Straight-line distance: 272.04 mi (437.81 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 Central City
City in Illinois, USA
| Population | 1,107 |
| Coordinates | 38.5489400, -89.1270100 |
| Altitude | 148 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central City (-89.12701, 38.54894)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 493 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.80 | $81.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.02 | $92.03 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.36 | $100.71 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.39 | $114.78 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.