How far is Waukegan, IL from Elk Grove, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Elk Grove, IL is about 36 miles (57.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.1 miles (40.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 40m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Elk Grove.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Elk Grove.
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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
11.7 mi · 14 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right
965 ft · 24 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 West: Rockford
2122 ft · 40 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
929 ft · 12 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
3 mi · 3 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Elmhurst Road
3136 ft · 43 sec
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13
Continue on Elmhurst Road
157 m · 10 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Elmhurst Road
93 m · 10 sec
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15
Turn left onto South Elmhurst Road
1.3 km · 2 min · South Elmhurst Road
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Elmhurst Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Elk Grove.
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.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
13.9 mi · 00h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Waukegan and Chance Rain Showers near Elk Grove.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Elk Grove?
The road trip is about 36 miles (57.9 km) and usually takes 00h 40m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Riverwoods is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18 miles from Waukegan and 18 miles from Elk Grove.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.1 miles (40.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.79 one way or $9.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Waukegan and Chance Rain Showers near Elk Grove.
Stop Ideas Near Riverwoods
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 Riverwoods.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Elk Grove. Straight-line distance: 25.1 mi (40.4 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 Elk Grove
Township in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 31,831 |
| Coordinates | 42.0072500, -87.9403400 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Elmhurst Road (-87.940348, 42.00725)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 58 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.79 | $9.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.40 | $10.80 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.91 | $11.82 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.74 | $13.47 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.