How far is Waukegan, IL from Fairbury, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Fairbury, IL is about 144.2 miles (232 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 116.9 miles (188.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 01m 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 00m.
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.
Village in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Fairbury.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Fairbury.
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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
75.8 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IL 23: Pontiac, Streator
1740 ft · 30 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on IL 23: Pontiac, Streator
34 m · 3 sec
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15
Turn left onto North 1500 East Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · North 1500 East Road
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16
Turn right onto Old Route 66
2126 ft · 42 sec · Old Route 66
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17
Continue straight
2696 ft · 58 sec
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18
Turn left onto West Reynolds Street
1.2 km · 1 min · West Reynolds Street
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19
Turn right onto South Mill Street
2641 ft · 58 sec · South Mill Street
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20
Turn left onto West Torrance Avenue
1644 ft · 34 sec · West Torrance Avenue
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21
Turn right onto South Manlove Street
1352 ft · 27 sec · South Manlove Street
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22
Continue on North 1600 East Road
7.3 mi · 10 min · North 1600 East Road
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23
Continue on North 3360 East Road
1 mi · 2 min · North 3360 East Road
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24
Turn left onto East 3100 North Road
2 mi · 3 min · East 3100 North Road
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25
Continue on East 800 North Road
2.4 mi · 3 min · East 800 North Road
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26
Continue on West Oak Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · West Oak Street
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27
Turn left onto South 2nd Street
1280 ft · 1 min · South 2nd Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Fairbury.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
75.8 mi · 01h 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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waukegan and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fairbury.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Fairbury?
The road trip is about 144.2 miles (232 km) and usually takes 03h 00m 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?
Shorewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.1 miles from Waukegan and 72.1 miles from Fairbury.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 116.9 miles (188.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.3 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 10:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.19 one way or $38.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukegan and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fairbury.
Stop Ideas Near Shorewood
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 Shorewood.
Joliet Transportation Center
Naperville
Plano
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Fairbury. Straight-line distance: 116.93 mi (188.18 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 Fairbury
City in Livingston County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 3,596 |
| Coordinates | 40.7472600, -88.5147800 |
| Altitude | 209 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fairbury (-88.51478, 40.74726)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 232 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.19 | $38.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.65 | $43.30 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.69 | $47.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.00 | $53.99 |
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 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.