How far is Waukegan, IL from Kewanee, IL?

The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Kewanee, IL is about 176 miles (283.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 132 miles (212.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
176.02 mi
03h 34m
Flight
132.07 mi
212.55 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waukegan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
132.07 mi
Kilometers
212.55 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
176.02 mi
Kilometers
283.28 km
Drive Time
03h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kewanee
Thu, Apr 23, 2:40 AM CDT
Return by in Waukegan
Thu, Apr 23, 6:14 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waukegan
2026-04-22T23:06
Arrive Kewanee
Thu, Apr 23, 2:40 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:34 AM to 11:34 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:52 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waukegan
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Morris
IL

City in Illinois

From Waukegan
87.9 mi
01h 47m
To Kewanee
88.1 mi
01h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NE
Destination
78°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Kewanee.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Kewanee.

  1. 1

    Start on North Jackson Street

    2647 ft · 1 min · North Jackson Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue

    2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Belvidere Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Belvidere Road

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago

    1511 ft · 37 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    13.9 mi · 16 min · Tri-State Tollway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    22.7 mi · 29 min · Tri-State Tollway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

    1 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    2295 ft · 56 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway

    25.9 mi · 32 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Iowa

    1.3 km · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    80.8 mi · 1 hr 27 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 40: Sterling, Peoria

    2121 ft · 52 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 900 East Street

    587 ft · 11 sec · 900 East Street

  17. 17

    Continue on IL 40

    1.6 mi · 2 min · IL 40

  18. 18

    Turn right

    37 m · 5 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right onto County Road 1500 N

    2.5 mi · 4 min · County Road 1500 N

  20. 20

    Continue on North Mason Street

    1757 ft · 29 sec · North Mason Street

  21. 21

    Continue on East Railroad Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · East Railroad Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto 550 East Street

    1.6 mi · 2 min · 550 East Street

  23. 23

    Continue on 525 East Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · 525 East Street

  24. 24

    Continue on 525 E Street

    3.7 mi · 6 min · 525 E Street

  25. 25

    Continue on 965 North Avenue

    5.9 mi · 9 min · 965 North Avenue

  26. 26

    Continue straight

    1.3 mi · 2 min

  27. 27

    Continue on North East Street

    66 m · 4 sec · North East Street

  28. 28

    Continue on East 2nd Street

    2506 ft · 46 sec · East 2nd Street

  29. 29

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    122 m · 11 sec · North Main Street

  30. 30

    Turn right onto East 3rd Street

    5 m · 1 sec · East 3rd Street

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Kewanee.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
31 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 West
81.6 mi · 46%
Tri-State Tollway
42.6 mi · 24%
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
25.9 mi · 15%
965 North Avenue
7.17 mi · 4%
525 E Street
3.73 mi · 2%
County Road 1500 N
2.47 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 80 West

Merge slight left

80.8 mi · 01h 27m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 34m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44 mi
132 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Morris
01h 47m from Waukegan
Leave By
9:52 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Sunny near Kewanee.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Kewanee?

The road trip is about 176 miles (283.3 km) and usually takes 03h 34m 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?

Morris is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.9 miles from Waukegan and 88.1 miles from Kewanee.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 132 miles (212.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 44 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 9:52 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.42 one way or $46.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Sunny near Kewanee.

Stop Ideas Near Morris

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Morris, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Morris.

RAIL

Dwight station

29 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

34 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Plano

35 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

Naperville

52 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Kewanee. Straight-line distance: 132.07 mi (212.55 km).

Waukegan

#1 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Kewanee

#2 Kewanee

City in Henry County, Illinois, United States

Population12,174
Coordinates41.2455900, -89.9248300
Altitude259
CountryUnited States
Start: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
End: Kewanee (-89.92483, 41.24559)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 283 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.21 gal
23.51 L · about $23.42
Round trip
$46.84
12.42 gal · 47.02 L
Estimated CO2
55.2 kg one way
Round trip: 110.4 kg / 243 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.42 $46.84
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.41 $52.82
Premium $4.65 $28.90 $57.80
Diesel $5.30 $32.94 $65.88

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

There is no time difference between Waukegan and Kewanee. The current time is 23:06:38.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.