How far is Waukegan, IL from Geneva, IL?

The estimated driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Geneva, IL is about 54.7 miles (88 km), with a travel time of about 01h 23m by car.

  • This page is using an estimated road distance while the full route geometry is refreshed.
  • The straight-line flight distance is about 40.5 miles (65.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance until a routing provider returns the full road geometry.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
54.66 mi
01h 23m · estimated
Flight
40.49 mi
65.16 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waukegan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
40.49 mi
Kilometers
65.16 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Estimated road route
54.66 mi
Estimated
Kilometers
87.96 km
Drive Time
01h 23m

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 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Geneva
Sat, Apr 11, 12:44 AM CDT
Return by in Waukegan
Sat, Apr 11, 2:07 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waukegan
2026-04-10T23:20
Arrive Geneva
Sat, Apr 11, 12:44 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:24 AM to 11:24 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:42 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waukegan
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Inverness
IL

Village in United States of America

From Waukegan
20.3 mi
00h 41m
To Geneva
34.4 mi
00h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Friday

Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NNE
Destination
58°F
Friday

Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph N

Driving Route Map

Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Turn-by-turn directions will appear after the road route is refreshed. The current distance is an estimate.

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 23m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.2 mi
40.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Inverness
00h 41m from Waukegan
Leave By
3:42 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Waukegan and Rain Showers near Geneva.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 54.7 miles (88 km) and usually takes 01h 23m 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?

Inverness is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.3 miles from Waukegan and 34.4 miles from Geneva.

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

The direct path is about 40.5 miles (65.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.2 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 3:42 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.28 one way or $14.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Waukegan and Rain Showers near Geneva.

Stop Ideas Near Inverness

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Inverness, 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 Inverness.

RAIL

Glenview station

24 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Naperville

38 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

La Grange Road

38 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

43 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Geneva. Straight-line distance: 40.49 mi (65.16 km).

Waukegan

#1 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Geneva

#2 Geneva

County seat of Kane County, Illinois

Population21,674
Coordinates41.8875300, -88.3053500
Altitude217
CountryUnited States
Start: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
End: Geneva (-88.30535, 41.88753)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 88 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 40m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.93 gal
7.3 L · about $7.28
Round trip
$14.56
3.86 gal · 14.6 L
Estimated CO2
17.2 kg one way
Round trip: 34.3 kg / 76 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.28 $14.56
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.21 $16.42
Premium $4.65 $8.98 $17.96
Diesel $5.30 $10.24 $20.47

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Waukegan and Geneva. The current time is 23:20:21.

Distance to Other Cities

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