How far is Waukegan, IL from Girard, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Girard, IL is about 261.5 miles (420.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 225.5 miles (362.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 05h 03m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Girard.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Girard.
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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 right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119.4 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
20.6 mi · 22 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Farmersville, Girard
2315 ft · 57 sec
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16
Turn right onto Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Main Street
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17
Continue on Mine Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Mine Avenue
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18
Continue on Farmersville Road
3.8 mi · 7 min · Farmersville Road
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19
Continue on East South Street
2719 ft · 56 sec · East South Street
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20
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
1300 ft · 27 sec · South 3rd Street
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21
Turn left onto West Center Street
31 m · 3 sec · West Center Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Center Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Girard.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119 mi · 02h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Waukegan and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Girard.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Girard?
The road trip is about 261.5 miles (420.8 km) and usually takes 05h 03m 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?
Rooks Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.7 miles from Waukegan and 130.7 miles from Girard.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 225.5 miles (362.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 36 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 6:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.81 one way or $69.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Waukegan and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Girard.
Stop Ideas Near Rooks Creek
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 Rooks Creek.
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Uptown Station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Girard. Straight-line distance: 225.48 mi (362.87 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 Girard
City in Illinois
| Population | 1,981 |
| Coordinates | 39.4464400, -89.7809300 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
End: Girard (-89.78093, 39.44644)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 421 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.81 | $69.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.26 | $78.51 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $42.96 | $85.91 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $48.96 | $97.91 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.