How far is Waukegan, IL from Ford Heights, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Ford Heights, IL is about 68.2 miles (109.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 60.6 miles (97.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 33m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Township in Macon County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Ford Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Ford Heights.
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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 left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway
10.8 mi · 15 min · Bishop Ford Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Calumet Expressway
2410 ft · 49 sec · Calumet Expressway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Calumet Expressway
5 mi · 7 min · Calumet Expressway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West: Lincoln Highway
2415 ft · 59 sec
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17
Turn straight onto Lincoln Highway
2744 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Highway
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lincoln Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Ford Heights.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Edens Expressway
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Ford Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Ford Heights?
The road trip is about 68.2 miles (109.8 km) and usually takes 01h 33m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Austin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.1 miles from Waukegan and 34.1 miles from Ford Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 60.6 miles (97.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.09 one way or $18.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Ford Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Austin
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 Austin.
Chicago Union Station
Summit
La Grange Road
Glenview station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Ford Heights. Straight-line distance: 60.64 mi (97.59 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 Ford Heights
Village in United States of America
| Population | 2,647 |
| Coordinates | 41.5064200, -87.5917100 |
| Altitude | 202 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ford Heights (-87.59171, 41.50642)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 110 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $9.09 | $18.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $10.25 | $20.50 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $11.22 | $22.43 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $12.78 | $25.57 |
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.