How far is Waukegan, IL from Danville, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Danville, IL is about 176.2 miles (283.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 155.1 miles (249.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 08m 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 04h 04m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Danville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Danville.
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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
46.4 mi · 55 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 17: Kankakee, Momence
1374 ft · 36 sec
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15
Turn straight onto East Court Street
5.9 mi · 9 min · East Court Street
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16
Continue on South State Route 1
6.7 mi · 10 min · South State Route 1
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17
Continue on North Dixie Highway
1808 ft · 33 sec · North Dixie Highway
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18
Turn right onto E 7000S Road
2797 ft · 47 sec · E 7000S Road
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19
Continue on S 7000E Road
1.4 km · 1 min · S 7000E Road
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20
Continue on North 2100 E Road
14.8 mi · 22 min · North 2100 E Road
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21
Continue on North 2100 East Road
1 mi · 2 min · North 2100 East Road
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22
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Walnut Street
2.7 mi · 7 min · West Walnut Street
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23
Turn right
45.6 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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24
Turn right onto East Main Street
4 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Danville.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
I 57 South
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
46.4 mi · 00h 55m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waukegan and Showers And Thunderstorms near Danville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Danville?
The road trip is about 176.2 miles (283.6 km) and usually takes 04h 04m 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?
Manteno is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.2 miles from Waukegan and 88 miles from Danville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 155.1 miles (249.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.1 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 8:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.46 one way or $46.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukegan and Showers And Thunderstorms near Danville.
Stop Ideas Near Manteno
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 Manteno.
Kankakee
Homewood
Joliet Transportation Center
Dyer station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Danville. Straight-line distance: 155.11 mi (249.63 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 Danville
City in and the county seat of Vermilion County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 30,106 |
| Coordinates | 40.1244800, -87.6300200 |
| Altitude | 183 |
| Country | United States |
End: Danville (-87.63002, 40.12448)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 284 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.46 | $46.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.45 | $52.91 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.95 | $57.90 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.99 | $65.98 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.