How far is Waukegan, IL from El Paso, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to El Paso, IL is about 153.9 miles (247.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 127.6 miles (205.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 17m 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 08m.
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.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and El Paso.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and El Paso.
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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
90.1 mi · 1 hr 42 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 24: Chenoa, El Paso
2279 ft · 56 sec
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 3100 North Road
6.7 mi · 9 min · East 3100 North Road
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15
Continue on East Gridley Road
7.5 mi · 11 min · East Gridley Road
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16
Turn right onto South Pine Street
127 m · 24 sec · South Pine Street
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17
Turn left onto East Front Street
1387 ft · 1 min · East Front Street
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18
Turn right onto North Central Street
100 m · 14 sec · North Central Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Central Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and El Paso.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
90.1 mi · 01h 42m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near El Paso.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to El Paso?
The road trip is about 153.9 miles (247.6 km) and usually takes 03h 08m 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?
Channahon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.9 miles from Waukegan and 76.9 miles from El Paso.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 127.6 miles (205.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.3 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 10:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.48 one way or $40.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near El Paso.
Stop Ideas Near Channahon
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 Channahon.
Joliet Transportation Center
Plano
Naperville
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and El Paso. Straight-line distance: 127.54 mi (205.26 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 El Paso
City in Woodford County, Illinois
| Population | 2,700 |
| Coordinates | 40.7392000, -89.0164600 |
| Altitude | 229 |
| Country | United States |
End: El Paso (-89.01646, 40.7392)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 248 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.48 | $40.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.09 | $46.19 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.27 | $50.54 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.80 | $57.60 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.