How far is Waukegan, IL from Harvard, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Harvard, IL is about 47.2 miles (75.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 39.5 miles (63.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 09m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Harvard.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Harvard.
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1
Start on North Jackson Street
1375 ft · 45 sec · North Jackson Street
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2
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
2.8 mi · 6 min · Grand Avenue
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3
Take the ramp right toward US 41 North: Milwaukee
152 m · 14 sec
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4
Keep slight left to continue on US 41 North
806 ft · 22 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Skokie Highway
7.4 mi · 9 min · Skokie Highway
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6
Turn left onto Rosecrans Road
13.9 mi · 21 min · Rosecrans Road
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7
Continue on Kenosha Road
3.7 mi · 5 min · Kenosha Road
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8
Continue on Kenosha Street
18.8 mi · 27 min · Kenosha Street
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9
Turn right onto North Division Street
18 m · 1 sec · North Division Street
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Division Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Harvard.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Kenosha Street
Continue on Kenosha Street
18.8 mi · 00h 27m
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 Sunny near Harvard.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Harvard?
The road trip is about 47.2 miles (75.9 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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?
Channel Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.5 miles from Waukegan and 23.6 miles from Harvard.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 39.5 miles (63.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.26 one way or $12.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Sunny near Harvard.
Stop Ideas Near Channel Lake
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 Channel Lake.
Sturtevant station
Glenview station
Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station
Milwaukee Intermodal Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Harvard. Straight-line distance: 39.44 mi (63.48 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 Harvard
Private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 8,979 |
| Coordinates | 42.4222400, -88.6137100 |
| Altitude | 292 |
| Country | United States |
End: Harvard (-88.61371, 42.42224)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 76 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.26 | $12.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.06 | $14.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.73 | $15.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.80 | $17.61 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.