How far is Waukegan, IL from Garfield, IL?

The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Garfield, IL is about 138.4 miles (222.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 105.3 miles (169.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
138.37 mi
03h 01m
Flight
105.3 mi
169.47 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waukegan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
105.3 mi
Kilometers
169.47 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
138.37 mi
Kilometers
222.68 km
Drive Time
03h 01m

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 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Garfield
Thu, Apr 23, 6:38 AM CDT
Return by in Waukegan
Thu, Apr 23, 9:39 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waukegan
2026-04-23T03:37
Arrive Garfield
Thu, Apr 23, 6:38 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:01 AM to 11:01 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:58 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waukegan
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Crystal Lawns
IL

Census designated place

From Waukegan
69.2 mi
01h 30m
To Garfield
69.2 mi
01h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
82°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Garfield.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Garfield.

  1. 1

    Start on North Jackson Street

    2647 ft · 1 min · North Jackson Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue

    2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Belvidere Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Belvidere Road

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago

    1511 ft · 37 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    13.9 mi · 16 min · Tri-State Tollway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    22.7 mi · 29 min · Tri-State Tollway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

    1 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    2295 ft · 56 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway

    59.3 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 17: Streator, Kankakee

    1932 ft · 37 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto East 3200 North Road

    9.9 mi · 15 min · East 3200 North Road

  15. 15

    Continue on E 3200 N Road

    3 mi · 5 min · E 3200 N Road

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East 3000 North Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · East 3000 North Road

  17. 17

    Continue on East 3000 N Road

    5.7 mi · 9 min · East 3000 N Road

  18. 18

    Continue on East 3000 North Road

    6.4 mi · 10 min · East 3000 North Road

  19. 19

    Continue on North 9th Road

    1 mi · 2 min · North 9th Road

  20. 20

    Turn right onto County Highway 44

    1.5 mi · 4 min · County Highway 44

  21. 21

    Turn left onto North 1050th Road

    1753 ft · 1 min · North 1050th Road

  22. 22

    Continue on East 1075th Road

    1440 ft · 1 min · East 1075th Road

  23. 23

    Turn slight right

    76 m · 18 sec

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Garfield.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
24 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
59.3 mi · 43%
Tri-State Tollway
42.6 mi · 31%
East 3200 North Road
9.89 mi · 7%
East 3000 North Road
8.22 mi · 6%
East 3000 N Road
5.74 mi · 4%
E 3200 N Road
2.98 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway

59.3 mi · 01h 09m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33.1 mi
105.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Crystal Lawns
01h 30m from Waukegan
Leave By
10:58 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Garfield.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Garfield?

The road trip is about 138.4 miles (222.7 km) and usually takes 03h 01m 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?

Crystal Lawns is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.2 miles from Waukegan and 69.2 miles from Garfield.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 105.3 miles (169.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.1 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 $18.40 one way or $36.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Garfield.

Stop Ideas Near Crystal Lawns

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Crystal Lawns, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Crystal Lawns.

RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

8 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Naperville

23 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Plano

33 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

36 mi away
25 West Burlington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Garfield. Straight-line distance: 105.3 mi (169.47 km).

Waukegan

#1 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Garfield

Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America

Population1,483
Coordinates41.0850300, -88.9561900
Altitude203
CountryUnited States
Start: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
End: Garfield (-88.95619, 41.08503)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 223 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.88 gal
18.48 L · about $18.40
Round trip
$36.80
9.76 gal · 36.96 L
Estimated CO2
43.4 kg one way
Round trip: 86.7 kg / 191 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.40 $36.80
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.75 $41.51
Premium $4.65 $22.71 $45.42
Diesel $5.30 $25.88 $51.77

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Waukegan and Garfield. The current time is 03:37:19.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.