How far is Waukegan, IL from Central, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Central, IL is about 88 miles (141.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 68.5 miles (110.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 53m 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 56m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Village in DuPage County in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Central.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Central.
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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
22.7 mi · 29 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
23.7 mi · 30 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 52: Shorewood, Joliet
1213 ft · 32 sec
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14
Turn right onto West Jefferson Street
1747 ft · 37 sec · West Jefferson Street
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15
Continue on East Jefferson Street
675 ft · 16 sec · East Jefferson Street
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16
Continue on West Jefferson Street
8.9 mi · 13 min · West Jefferson Street
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17
Turn left onto Brisbin Road
2.5 mi · 3 min · Brisbin Road
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18
Turn right onto Whitewillow Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · Whitewillow Road
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19
Turn right
31 m · 7 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Central.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
23.7 mi · 00h 30m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Waukegan and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Central.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Central?
The road trip is about 88 miles (141.7 km) and usually takes 01h 56m 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?
Oak Brook is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44 miles from Waukegan and 44.1 miles from Central.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 68.5 miles (110.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.73 one way or $23.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Waukegan and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Central.
Stop Ideas Near Oak Brook
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 Oak Brook.
La Grange Road
Summit
Naperville
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Central. Straight-line distance: 68.53 mi (110.29 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
Region of Illinois, USA
| Population | 1,107 |
| Coordinates | 41.4739200, -88.4339600 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central (-88.43396, 41.47392)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 142 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.73 | $23.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.23 | $26.45 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.47 | $28.95 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.50 | $32.99 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.