How far is Waukegan, IL from Inverness, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Inverness, IL is about 30.7 miles (49.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.3 miles (34.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 35m 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 00h 47m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Inverness.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Inverness.
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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
10.2 mi · 12 min · Tri-State Tollway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IL 22: Half Day Road
1615 ft · 39 sec
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8
Turn right onto Half Day Road
5.2 mi · 9 min · Half Day Road
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9
Turn left onto State Highway 83
1.5 mi · 2 min · State Highway 83
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10
Turn slight right
55 m · 7 sec
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11
Turn right onto North State Route 53
3 mi · 5 min · North State Route 53
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12
Continue on North Hicks Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Hicks Road
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13
Turn right onto East Dundee Road
3.4 mi · 5 min · East Dundee Road
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14
Turn left onto Ela Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Ela Road
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ela Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Inverness.
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.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
10.2 mi · 00h 12m
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 Mostly Sunny near Inverness.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Inverness?
The road trip is about 30.7 miles (49.4 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?
Lincolnshire is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.3 miles from Waukegan and 15.3 miles from Inverness.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.3 miles (34.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 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 4:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.07 one way or $8.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Inverness.
Stop Ideas Near Lincolnshire
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 Lincolnshire.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Inverness. Straight-line distance: 21.29 mi (34.26 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 Inverness
Village in United States of America
| Population | 7,303 |
| Coordinates | 42.1180800, -88.0961900 |
| Altitude | 257 |
| Country | United States |
End: Inverness (-88.09619, 42.11808)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 49 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.07 | $8.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.59 | $9.19 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.03 | $10.05 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.73 | $11.46 |
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.