How far is Waukegan, IL from Eureka, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Eureka, IL is about 167.3 miles (269.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.4 miles (217.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 56m 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 28m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Will County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Eureka.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Eureka.
-
1
Start on North Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · North Jackson Street
-
2
Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
-
4
Continue on Belvidere Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
1511 ft · 37 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
13.9 mi · 16 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
22.7 mi · 29 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
-
12
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
90.1 mi · 1 hr 42 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 24: Chenoa, El Paso
2279 ft · 58 sec
-
14
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 3100 North Road
6.7 mi · 9 min · East 3100 North Road
-
15
Continue on East Gridley Road
9.2 mi · 14 min · East Gridley Road
-
16
Continue on County Road 1000 North
11.8 mi · 17 min · County Road 1000 North
-
17
Continue on East Center Street
2041 ft · 37 sec · East Center Street
-
18
Turn right onto North Main Street
6 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Eureka.
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Waukegan and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Eureka.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Eureka?
The road trip is about 167.3 miles (269.3 km) and usually takes 03h 28m 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?
Wilmington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.6 miles from Waukegan and 83.7 miles from Eureka.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.4 miles (217.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.25 one way or $44.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Waukegan and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Eureka.
Stop Ideas Near Wilmington
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 Wilmington.
Joliet Transportation Center
Kankakee
Dwight station
Homewood
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Eureka. Straight-line distance: 135.38 mi (217.87 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 Eureka
City in Woodford County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 5,232 |
| Coordinates | 40.7214300, -89.2728600 |
| Altitude | 234 |
| Country | United States |
End: Eureka (-89.27286, 40.72143)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 269 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.25 | $44.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.09 | $50.19 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.46 | $54.92 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.29 | $62.59 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.