How far is Waukegan, IL from Highwood, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Highwood, IL is about 14.6 miles (23.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.5 miles (18.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 23m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Highwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Highwood.
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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
1368 ft · 34 sec · Belvidere Street
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4
Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue
2.9 mi · 5 min · South Lewis Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Buckley Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Buckley Road
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6
Turn left onto North Skokie Highway
5.6 mi · 7 min · North Skokie Highway
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7
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
2.3 mi · 3 min · Skokie Valley Road
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8
Take the exit slight right
986 ft · 29 sec
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9
Turn left onto Half Day Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Half Day Road
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10
Continue on Prairie Avenue
2364 ft · 1 min · Prairie Avenue
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Prairie Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Highwood.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
North Skokie Highway
Turn left onto North Skokie Highway
5.61 mi · 00h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Highwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Highwood?
The road trip is about 14.6 miles (23.5 km) and usually takes 00h 23m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Green Oaks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7.3 miles from Waukegan and 7.3 miles from Highwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.5 miles (18.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:44 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.96 one way or $3.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Highwood.
Stop Ideas Near Green Oaks
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 Green Oaks.
Glenview station
Sturtevant station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Highwood. Straight-line distance: 11.47 mi (18.46 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 Highwood
City in Illinois
| Population | 5,301 |
| Coordinates | 42.1997500, -87.8092300 |
| Altitude | 206 |
| Country | United States |
End: Highwood (-87.80923, 42.19975)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 23 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $1.96 | $3.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.21 | $4.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.42 | $4.84 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $2.76 | $5.52 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.