How far is Waukegan, IL from Crystal Lake, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Crystal Lake, IL is about 31.7 miles (51 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.5 miles (41.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 44m 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 00h 52m.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Crystal Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Crystal Lake.
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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
10.5 mi · 16 min · East Belvidere Road
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6
Continue on Rand Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Rand Road
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7
Continue on Elm Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Elm Street
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8
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Chapel Hill Road
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9
Continue on North River Road
1.4 km · 2 min · North River Road
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10
Turn right onto Charles J Miller Road
1 mi · 2 min · Charles J Miller Road
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11
Continue on Bull Valley Road
1863 ft · 37 sec · Bull Valley Road
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12
Turn left onto South Front Street
5.1 mi · 8 min · South Front Street
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13
Turn right onto East Terra Cotta Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · East Terra Cotta Avenue
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14
Turn left onto North Main Street
2641 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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15
Turn right onto East Crystal Lake Avenue
8 m · 1 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Crystal Lake.
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.
East Belvidere Road
Continue on East Belvidere Road
10.5 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.
Sunny leaving Waukegan and Sunny near Crystal Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Crystal Lake?
The road trip is about 31.7 miles (51 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Volo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.8 miles from Waukegan and 15.9 miles from Crystal Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.5 miles (41.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.2 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 4:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.22 one way or $8.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Waukegan and Sunny near Crystal Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Volo
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 Volo.
Glenview station
Sturtevant station
Naperville
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Crystal Lake. Straight-line distance: 25.53 mi (41.09 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 Crystal Lake
City located in McHenry County, Illinois, USA
| Population | 39,642 |
| Coordinates | 42.2411300, -88.3162000 |
| Altitude | 279 |
| Country | United States |
End: Crystal Lake (-88.3162, 42.24113)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 51 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.22 | $8.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.76 | $9.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.21 | $10.42 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.94 | $11.88 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.