How far is Waukegan, IL from Frankfort, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Frankfort, IL is about 69.6 miles (112 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 60 miles (96.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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 41m.
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.
Village in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Frankfort.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Frankfort.
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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 left to continue on I 55 North: Chicago, Joliet Road
782 ft · 19 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
2208 ft · 54 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 South, US 20 South, US 45 South: La Grange Road
1785 ft · 38 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto La Grange Road
14.7 mi · 26 min · La Grange Road
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16
Continue on South La Grange Road
3.5 mi · 7 min · South La Grange Road
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17
Turn left onto Old Frankfort Way
1104 ft · 32 sec · Old Frankfort Way
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto North White Street
1754 ft · 53 sec · North White Street
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Nebraska Street
63 m · 8 sec · East Nebraska Street
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20
Turn right onto Center Road
853 ft · 25 sec · Center Road
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21
Turn right
22 m · 7 sec
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22
Turn right
51 m · 12 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Frankfort.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
22.7 mi · 00h 29m
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 Mostly Sunny near Frankfort.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Frankfort?
The road trip is about 69.6 miles (112 km) and usually takes 01h 41m 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?
Franklin Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.8 miles from Waukegan and 34.8 miles from Frankfort.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 60 miles (96.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.6 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:08 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.22 one way or $22.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Frankfort.
Stop Ideas Near Franklin Park
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 Franklin Park.
La Grange Road
Glenview station
Summit
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Frankfort. Straight-line distance: 59.96 mi (96.49 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 Frankfort
Frankfort is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 41.4958700, -87.8486600 |
| Altitude | 232 |
| Country | United States |
End: Frankfort (-87.84866, 41.49587)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 112 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.56 | $11.22 | $22.45 |
| Mid-grade | $5.19 | $12.76 | $25.52 |
| Premium | $5.75 | $14.14 | $28.29 |
| Diesel | $6.56 | $16.14 | $32.29 |
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 · Nov 07, 2026