How far is Waukegan, IL from Homer, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Homer, IL is about 194 miles (312.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 161 miles (259.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 49m 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 54m.
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.
City in Kankakee County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Homer.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Homer.
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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
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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8
Continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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9
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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10
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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11
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
117.8 mi · 2 hr 11 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Market Street
1379 ft · 27 sec
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15
Turn left
29 m · 5 sec
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16
Turn left onto Market Street
3.2 mi · 5 min · Market Street
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17
Turn right onto East Marketview Drive
1336 ft · 40 sec · East Marketview Drive
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18
Turn left onto North Neil Street
1475 ft · 42 sec · North Neil Street
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19
Take the ramp left
1410 ft · 34 sec
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20
Merge slight left
14.9 mi · 16 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Royal, Ogden
1689 ft · 41 sec
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Royal, Ogden
40 m · 3 sec
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23
Turn slight right onto Market Street
3079 ft · 1 min · Market Street
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24
Continue on County Road 2700 East
4.8 mi · 8 min · County Road 2700 East
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25
Continue on Main Street
993 ft · 20 sec · Main Street
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26
Continue on County Road 15
107 m · 7 sec · County Road 15
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27
Continue on South Main Street
159 m · 10 sec · South Main Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Homer.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 57 South
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
118 mi · 02h 11m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Homer.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Homer?
The road trip is about 194 miles (312.2 km) and usually takes 03h 54m 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?
Kankakee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.1 miles from Waukegan and 97 miles from Homer.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 161 miles (259.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 33 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 9:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.83 one way or $51.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Homer.
Stop Ideas Near Kankakee
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 Kankakee.
Kankakee
Gilman
Dwight station
Joliet Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Homer. Straight-line distance: 161.02 mi (259.13 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 Homer
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,143 |
| Coordinates | 40.0347600, -87.9580900 |
| Altitude | 206 |
| Country | United States |
End: Homer (-87.95809, 40.03476)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 312 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.83 | $51.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.13 | $58.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.88 | $63.76 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.33 | $72.66 |
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.