How far is Waukegan, IL from East Dubuque, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to East Dubuque, IL is about 172.1 miles (276.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 143 miles (230.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 54m 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 03h 57m.
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 Winnebago County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and East Dubuque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and East Dubuque.
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1
Start on North Jackson Street
1375 ft · 45 sec · North Jackson Street
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2
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
2.8 mi · 6 min · Grand Avenue
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3
Take the ramp right toward US 41 North: Milwaukee
152 m · 14 sec
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4
Keep slight left to continue on US 41 North
806 ft · 22 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Skokie Highway
7.4 mi · 9 min · Skokie Highway
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6
Turn left onto Rosecrans Road
13.9 mi · 21 min · Rosecrans Road
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7
Continue on Kenosha Road
3.7 mi · 5 min · Kenosha Road
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8
Continue on Kenosha Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Kenosha Street
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9
Turn right onto Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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10
Take the exit straight
16.5 mi · 18 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 43, CTH NN: Beloit, Milwaukee
951 ft · 23 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 43: Milwaukee, Beloit
2334 ft · 57 sec
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13
Keep slight left
1297 ft · 32 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 43 South: Delavan, Beloit
1293 ft · 32 sec
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15
Merge slight left
25.1 mi · 27 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward CTH X: Hart Road
1757 ft · 43 sec
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17
Keep slight right
82 m · 7 sec
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18
Turn straight onto East Hart Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · East Hart Road
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto Shopiere Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Shopiere Road
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20
Continue on Henry Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · Henry Avenue
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21
Continue on Maple Avenue
1265 ft · 40 sec · Maple Avenue
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22
At the end of the road, turn left onto 6th Street
2937 ft · 1 min · 6th Street
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23
Turn right onto East Liberty Avenue
4.6 mi · 7 min · East Liberty Avenue
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24
Continue on State Highway 81
15.3 mi · 21 min · State Highway 81
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25
Turn left onto State Highway 11
13.3 mi · 18 min · State Highway 11
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26
Continue straight
20.8 mi · 28 min
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27
Continue on Bridge Street
3035 ft · 1 min · Bridge Street
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28
Continue on State Highway 11
18.5 mi · 26 min · State Highway 11
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29
Continue on East Main Street
1 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
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30
Continue on State Highway 11
2 mi · 3 min · State Highway 11
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31
Continue on State Highway 11
1.9 mi · 3 min · State Highway 11
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32
Continue on North Percival Street
1.5 km · 2 min · North Percival Street
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33
Turn right onto Fairplay Street
2694 ft · 42 sec · Fairplay Street
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34
Continue on State Highway 11
8.9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 11
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35
Turn left onto State Highway 35
1.5 km · 1 min · State Highway 35
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36
Continue on IL-35
1.4 mi · 2 min · IL-35
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37
Continue on Wisconsin Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Wisconsin Avenue
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38
Turn right onto Sinsinawa Avenue
9 m · 1 sec · Sinsinawa Avenue
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sinsinawa Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and East Dubuque.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 43 South
Merge slight left
25.1 mi · 00h 27m
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 Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near East Dubuque.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to East Dubuque?
The road trip is about 172.1 miles (276.9 km) and usually takes 03h 57m 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?
South Beloit is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.9 miles from Waukegan and 86.2 miles from East Dubuque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 143 miles (230.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.1 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 9:06 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.89 one way or $45.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukegan and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near East Dubuque.
Stop Ideas Near South Beloit
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 South Beloit.
South Beloit, Illinois
Janesville, Wisconsin
Rockford, Illinois
Madison (South), Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and East Dubuque. Straight-line distance: 142.97 mi (230.09 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 East Dubuque
City in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,565 |
| Coordinates | 42.4922300, -90.6429100 |
| Altitude | 186 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Dubuque (-90.64291, 42.49223)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.89 | $45.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.82 | $51.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.25 | $56.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.20 | $64.39 |
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.