How far is Waukegan, IL from Guilford, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Guilford, IL is about 160 miles (257.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125.3 miles (201.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 25m 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 03h 42m.
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 Winnebago County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Guilford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Guilford.
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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
6.3 mi · 9 min · Belvidere Road
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5
Continue on East Belvidere Road
1 mi · 2 min · East Belvidere Road
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6
Turn left onto South Atkinson Road
2824 ft · 58 sec · South Atkinson Road
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7
Continue on Ivanhoe Road
3.7 mi · 6 min · Ivanhoe Road
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8
Continue on Schank Avenue
797 ft · 24 sec · Schank Avenue
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9
Turn right
5.4 mi · 9 min
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10
Turn left onto Barrington Road
2852 ft · 1 min · Barrington Road
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11
Continue straight
7.8 mi · 13 min
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12
Turn slight right
87 m · 5 sec
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13
Continue on New Sutton Road
6.3 mi · 10 min · New Sutton Road
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14
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 West Toll: Rockford
2305 ft · 56 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
41.6 mi · 45 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington
1.1 km · 1 min
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17
Merge slight right
2475 ft · 30 sec
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18
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 2 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
29.6 mi · 34 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 BUS: Freeport
3.6 mi · 6 min
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21
Turn slight right onto South Galena Avenue
7.3 mi · 13 min · South Galena Avenue
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22
Turn left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
14.5 mi · 20 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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23
Continue on East North Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · East North Avenue
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24
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
6.4 mi · 9 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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25
Continue on East Woodbine Street
2853 ft · 1 min · East Woodbine Street
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26
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.6 mi · 7 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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27
Continue on South Main Street
2099 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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28
Turn straight onto Diagonal Street
639 ft · 21 sec · Diagonal Street
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29
Continue on West Madison Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West Madison Street
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30
Turn right onto South Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
8.1 mi · 14 min · South Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
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31
Turn left onto West Rawlins Road
1.9 mi · 5 min · West Rawlins Road
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32
Continue on West Guilford Road
2046 ft · 56 sec · West Guilford Road
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Guilford Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Guilford.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
41.6 mi · 00h 45m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Guilford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Guilford?
The road trip is about 160 miles (257.5 km) and usually takes 03h 42m 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?
Cherry Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.8 miles from Waukegan and 80.1 miles from Guilford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 125.3 miles (201.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.7 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 9:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.31 one way or $42.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Waukegan and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Guilford.
Stop Ideas Near Cherry Valley
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 Cherry Valley.
Rockford, Illinois
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Plano
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Guilford. Straight-line distance: 125.36 mi (201.75 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 Guilford
Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,144 |
| Coordinates | 42.4175100, -90.3004100 |
| Altitude | 230 |
| Country | United States |
End: Guilford (-90.30041, 42.41751)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 257 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.31 | $42.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.03 | $48.06 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.30 | $52.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.97 | $59.94 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.