How far is Waukegan, IL from Fairfield, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Fairfield, IL is about 309.2 miles (497.6 km), with a travel time of about 06h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 276.6 miles (445.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 15m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Fairfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Fairfield.
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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
1368 ft · 34 sec · Belvidere Street
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4
Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue
2.9 mi · 5 min · South Lewis Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Buckley Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Buckley Road
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6
Turn left onto North Skokie Highway
5.6 mi · 7 min · North Skokie Highway
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7
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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8
Continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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9
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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10
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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11
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
195.9 mi · 3 hr 35 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham
1753 ft · 35 sec
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15
Turn left
1.9 mi · 3 min
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16
Turn right onto East Fayette Avenue
1123 ft · 33 sec · East Fayette Avenue
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17
Turn left onto South Banker Street
14.9 mi · 22 min · South Banker Street
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18
Continue on County Road 925 East
16.2 mi · 24 min · County Road 925 East
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19
Turn slight left
41 m · 5 sec
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20
Merge slight right
3.9 mi · 4 min
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21
Turn right onto County Road 1400 E
10.4 mi · 16 min · County Road 1400 E
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22
Continue on Central Street
1.5 km · 1 min · Central Street
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23
Continue on County Road 1800N
1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road 1800N
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24
Turn straight onto County Road 1600E
4.6 mi · 7 min · County Road 1600E
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25
Continue on Washington Street
1 mi · 2 min · Washington Street
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26
Continue on County Road 1600E
6.4 mi · 10 min · County Road 1600E
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27
Turn left onto South 1st Street
18 m · 1 sec · South 1st Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Fairfield.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 South
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
196 mi · 03h 35m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waukegan and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fairfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Fairfield?
The road trip is about 309.2 miles (497.6 km) and usually takes 06h 15m 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?
Ludlow is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.7 miles from Waukegan and 154.5 miles from Fairfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 276.6 miles (445.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.6 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 $41.14 one way or $82.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukegan and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fairfield.
Stop Ideas Near Ludlow
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 Ludlow.
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Gilman
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Fairfield. Straight-line distance: 276.65 mi (445.22 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 Fairfield
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 4,889 |
| Coordinates | 38.3789400, -88.3597700 |
| Altitude | 134 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fairfield (-88.35977, 38.37894)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 498 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.14 | $82.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.40 | $92.80 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.78 | $101.55 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.87 | $115.73 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.