How far is Waukegan, IL from Cortland, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Cortland, IL is about 72 miles (115.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 53 miles (85.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 41m 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 50m.
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 United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Cortland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Cortland.
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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
6.3 mi · 9 min · Belvidere Road
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5
Continue on East Belvidere Road
1 mi · 2 min · East Belvidere Road
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6
Turn left onto South Atkinson Road
2824 ft · 58 sec · South Atkinson Road
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7
Continue on Ivanhoe Road
3.7 mi · 6 min · Ivanhoe Road
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8
Continue on Schank Avenue
797 ft · 24 sec · Schank Avenue
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9
Turn right
5.4 mi · 9 min
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10
Turn left onto Barrington Road
2852 ft · 1 min · Barrington Road
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11
Continue straight
7.8 mi · 13 min
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12
Turn slight right
87 m · 5 sec
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13
Continue on New Sutton Road
6.3 mi · 10 min · New Sutton Road
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14
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 West Toll: Rockford
2305 ft · 56 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
6.9 mi · 7 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Randall Road
1726 ft · 42 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Randall Road, Elgin
68 m · 7 sec
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18
Turn left onto Randall Road
8.8 mi · 14 min · Randall Road
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19
Turn right onto Bolcum Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Bolcum Road
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Burlington Road
54 m · 4 sec · Burlington Road
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21
Exit the roundabout onto Burlington Road
1532 ft · 33 sec · Burlington Road
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22
Continue on LaFox Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · LaFox Road
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23
Turn right onto Lincoln Highway
14.7 mi · 20 min · Lincoln Highway
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24
Turn right onto South Somonauk Road
2410 ft · 50 sec · South Somonauk Road
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25
Turn right onto East Chestnut Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · East Chestnut Avenue
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chestnut Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Cortland.
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.
Lincoln Highway
Turn right onto Lincoln Highway
14.7 mi · 00h 20m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waukegan and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Cortland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Cortland?
The road trip is about 72 miles (115.8 km) and usually takes 01h 50m 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?
East Dundee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.9 miles from Waukegan and 36 miles from Cortland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 53 miles (85.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 19 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 2:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.58 one way or $19.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukegan and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Cortland.
Stop Ideas Near East Dundee
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 East Dundee.
Naperville
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Cortland. Straight-line distance: 53 mi (85.29 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 Cortland
Township in DeKalb County, Illinois
| Population | 4,393 |
| Coordinates | 41.9200300, -88.6887000 |
| Altitude | 275 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cortland (-88.6887, 41.92003)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 116 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $9.58 | $19.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $10.80 | $21.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $11.82 | $23.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $13.47 | $26.94 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.