How far is Waukegan, IL from Jackson, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Jackson, IL is about 283.7 miles (456.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 251.9 miles (405.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 18m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Peoria County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Jackson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Jackson.
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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 left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway
10.8 mi · 15 min · Bishop Ford Freeway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East, I 94 East: Indiana
1.1 mi · 1 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on US 6 West, IL 83: Torrence Avenue
2791 ft · 43 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on US 6 West, IL 83 West: Torrence Avenue
997 ft · 24 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on IL 83 South
153 m · 12 sec
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18
Turn straight onto Torrence Avenue
3.7 mi · 6 min · Torrence Avenue
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19
Turn left onto Glenwood Dyer Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Glenwood Dyer Road
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20
Continue on Lincoln Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · Lincoln Highway
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21
Continue on Joliet Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · Joliet Street
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22
Continue on West Lincoln Highway
656 ft · 20 sec · West Lincoln Highway
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23
Turn right onto Wicker Avenue
58.8 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Wicker Avenue
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24
Keep slight left
21.6 mi · 27 min
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25
Continue straight
63.4 mi · 1 hr 21 min
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26
Continue straight
57.4 mi · 1 hr 17 min
-
27
Take the exit slight right toward US 50 West: Lawrenceville
1341 ft · 33 sec
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28
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 10 min
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29
Take the exit slight left
3141 ft · 1 min
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30
Turn sharp left
78 m · 11 sec
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31
Continue on 990N
160 m · 11 sec · 990N
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 990N
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Jackson.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Wicker Avenue
Continue straight
63.4 mi · 01h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Partly Sunny near Jackson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Jackson?
The road trip is about 283.7 miles (456.5 km) and usually takes 06h 18m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Hallock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 141.9 miles from Waukegan and 141.7 miles from Jackson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 251.9 miles (405.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.8 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.75 one way or $75.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Partly Sunny near Jackson.
Stop Ideas Near Hallock
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 Hallock.
Gilman
Danville, Illinois
Rantoul
Rensselaer
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Jackson. Straight-line distance: 251.88 mi (405.36 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 Jackson
County in Illinois, United States
| Population | 18,488 |
| Coordinates | 38.7211600, -87.6503000 |
| Altitude | 144 |
| Country | United States |
End: Jackson (-87.6503, 38.72116)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 457 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.75 | $75.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.57 | $85.15 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.59 | $93.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.09 | $106.19 |
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 · May 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.