How far is Waukegan, IL from Knox, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Knox, IL is about 229.6 miles (369.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158.8 miles (255.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 53m 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 04h 26m.
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.
Village in Lee County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Knox.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Knox.
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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
20.1 mi · 25 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1.5 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1251 ft · 31 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 West Toll: Aurora
2633 ft · 50 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.2 km · 60 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
25.1 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
69.5 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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15
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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16
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
37.8 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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17
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
5.4 mi · 6 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 80: Peoria
7.1 mi · 8 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
39.4 mi · 42 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 150, IL 97: Lewistown
1112 ft · 27 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on US 150 East: Brimfield
32 m · 3 sec
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22
Turn straight onto US 150 / IL 97
1302 ft · 20 sec · US 150 / IL 97
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23
Continue on Knox Road 1020 East
1.4 mi · 5 min · Knox Road 1020 East
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24
Turn left onto Mine Road
2682 ft · 2 min · Mine Road
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25
Turn right onto Knox Station Road
45 m · 7 sec · Knox Station Road
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Knox Station Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Knox.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
69.5 mi · 01h 14m
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 then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Knox.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Knox?
The road trip is about 229.6 miles (369.5 km) and usually takes 04h 26m 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?
Ashton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.7 miles from Waukegan and 114.9 miles from Knox.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158.8 miles (255.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 70.8 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 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:06 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.55 one way or $61.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Knox.
Stop Ideas Near Ashton
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 Ashton.
Mendota station
Rockford, Illinois
Princeton
Plano
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Knox. Straight-line distance: 158.85 mi (255.64 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 Knox
County seat of Knox County, Tennessee, United States; third-largest city in Tennessee
| Population | 2,692 |
| Coordinates | 40.9342000, -90.2548500 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
End: Knox (-90.25485, 40.9342)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 370 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.55 | $61.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.45 | $68.90 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $37.70 | $75.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $42.96 | $85.92 |
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.