How far is Waukegan, IL from Independence, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Independence, IL is about 306.6 miles (493.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 248.9 miles (400.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 55m 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 57m.
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 McLean County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Independence.
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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 right to continue on I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
62.5 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 54, IL 107: Griggsville, Pittsfield
1298 ft · 25 sec
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16
Turn slight left
5.3 mi · 9 min
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17
Turn left onto East Washington Street
123 m · 9 sec · East Washington Street
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18
Turn right onto South Illinois Street
130 m · 24 sec · South Illinois Street
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19
Turn left onto East Fayette Street
109 m · 17 sec · East Fayette Street
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20
Turn right onto Piper Lane
2017 ft · 1 min · Piper Lane
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21
Continue on County Highway 7
5 mi · 12 min · County Highway 7
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22
Turn right onto Road 900
79 m · 11 sec · Road 900
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Road 900
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Independence.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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 then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Independence.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Independence?
The road trip is about 306.6 miles (493.4 km) and usually takes 05h 57m 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?
Towanda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 153.2 miles from Waukegan and 153.4 miles from Independence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 248.9 miles (400.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.7 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 5:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.80 one way or $81.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Waukegan and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Independence.
Stop Ideas Near Towanda
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Towanda.
Uptown Station
Pontiac station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Independence. Straight-line distance: 248.85 mi (400.48 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 Independence
Township in Saline County, Illinois
| Population | 1,044 |
| Coordinates | 39.5314400, -90.7915200 |
| Altitude | 203 |
| Country | United States |
End: Independence (-90.79152, 39.53144)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 493 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.80 | $81.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.02 | $92.03 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.36 | $100.71 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.39 | $114.78 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.