How far is Waukegan, IL from Energy, IL?

The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Energy, IL is about 357.5 miles (575.4 km), with a travel time of about 06h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 323.2 miles (520.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
357.53 mi
06h 47m
Flight
323.21 mi
520.15 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waukegan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
323.21 mi
Kilometers
520.15 km
Flight Time
00h 39m

Driving Distance

Road route
357.53 mi
Kilometers
575.39 km
Drive Time
06h 47m

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 06h 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Energy
Mon, Apr 13, 5:43 PM CDT
Return by in Waukegan
Tue, Apr 14, 12:30 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waukegan
2026-04-13T10:56
Arrive Energy
Mon, Apr 13, 5:43 PM CDT
Route Timing
06h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
12:47 PM to 2:17 PM CDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
10:26 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waukegan
8:00 PM CDT
Overnight-style route

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.

Mid-route stop
Savoy
IL

Town

From Waukegan
178.9 mi
03h 23m
To Energy
178.6 mi
03h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Monday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph SW
Destination
82°F
Monday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 17 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Energy.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Energy.

  1. 1

    Start on North Jackson Street

    2647 ft · 1 min · North Jackson Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue

    2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Belvidere Street

    1368 ft · 34 sec · Belvidere Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue

    2.9 mi · 5 min · South Lewis Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Buckley Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Buckley Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Skokie Highway

    5.6 mi · 7 min · North Skokie Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Skokie Valley Road

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Skokie Highway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Edens Expressway

    13.7 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

  10. 10

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

    200.8 mi · 3 hr 41 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

    65.7 mi · 1 hr 11 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway

    32.7 mi · 35 min · Ken Gray Expressway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward Johnston City, Herrin

    1506 ft · 39 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Herrin Road

    3.1 mi · 5 min · Herrin Road

  18. 18

    Continue on East Herrin Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · East Herrin Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto North Park Avenue

    1.8 mi · 3 min · North Park Avenue

  20. 20

    Continue on North Pershing Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · North Pershing Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto West College Street

    5 m · 1 sec · West College Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West College Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Energy.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
22 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
267 mi · 75%
Ken Gray Expressway
32.7 mi · 9%
Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 4%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.83 mi · 2%
Kennedy Expressway
8.12 mi · 2%
North Skokie Highway
5.61 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

201 mi · 03h 41m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

Better with a longer stop

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

Drive Time
06h 47m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
13h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.3 mi
323.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Savoy
03h 23m from Waukegan
Leave By
10:26 PM CDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Waukegan and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Energy.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Energy?

The road trip is about 357.5 miles (575.4 km) and usually takes 06h 47m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Savoy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 178.9 miles from Waukegan and 178.6 miles from Energy.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 323.2 miles (520.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.3 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.59 one way or $95.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 112.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Waukegan and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Energy.

Stop Ideas Near Savoy

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Savoy, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Savoy.

RAIL

Illinois Terminal

7 mi away
45 East University Ave.
RAIL

Rantoul

29 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
BUS

Danville, Illinois

53 mi away
379 Lynch Road
RAIL

Mattoon station

65 mi away
1718 Broadway Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Energy. Straight-line distance: 323.21 mi (520.15 km).

Waukegan

#1 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Energy

Village in Illinois

Population1,086
Coordinates37.7739400, -89.0264600
Altitude140
CountryUnited States
Start: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
End: Energy (-89.02646, 37.77394)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 575 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)11h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)07h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)05h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
12.62 gal
47.76 L · about $47.59
Round trip
$95.18
25.24 gal · 95.52 L
Estimated CO2
112.2 kg one way
Round trip: 224.3 kg / 494 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $47.59 $95.18
Mid-grade $4.25 $53.67 $107.35
Premium $4.65 $58.73 $117.47
Diesel $5.30 $66.94 $133.87

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Waukegan and Energy. The current time is 10:56:29.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.