How far is Waukegan, IL from La Grange, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to La Grange, IL is about 284.4 miles (457.7 km), with a travel time of about 06h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 217.9 miles (350.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 02m 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 01m.
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.
City in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and La Grange.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and La Grange.
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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
113 mi · 2 hr 7 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West: Peoria
2888 ft · 49 sec
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14
Continue straight
27.4 mi · 29 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
7.9 mi · 8 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 24 West: Bartonville
19.6 mi · 25 min
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17
Turn left
39 m · 5 sec
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18
Continue on West Valley View Drive
1061 ft · 18 sec · West Valley View Drive
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19
Continue on United States Highway 24
16.9 mi · 25 min · United States Highway 24
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20
Turn left onto South Main Street
4.6 mi · 7 min · South Main Street
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21
Continue straight
28.4 mi · 42 min
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22
Turn right onto West Clinton Street
7.6 mi · 11 min · West Clinton Street
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23
Turn left
2.1 mi · 4 min
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24
Turn right onto Lagrange Lock Road
5.8 mi · 14 min · Lagrange Lock Road
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25
Continue on County Road 1965 East
1.3 mi · 3 min · County Road 1965 East
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26
Continue on County Road 12
2015 ft · 55 sec · County Road 12
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road 12
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and La Grange.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
113 mi · 02h 07m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waukegan and Showers And Thunderstorms near La Grange.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to La Grange?
The road trip is about 284.4 miles (457.7 km) and usually takes 06h 01m 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?
Chenoa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142.1 miles from Waukegan and 142.2 miles from La Grange.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 217.9 miles (350.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 66.5 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 $37.86 one way or $75.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukegan and Showers And Thunderstorms near La Grange.
Stop Ideas Near Chenoa
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 Chenoa.
Pontiac station
Uptown Station
Dwight station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and La Grange. Straight-line distance: 217.91 mi (350.69 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 La Grange
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 15,292 |
| Coordinates | 39.9472700, -90.5373500 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
End: La Grange (-90.53735, 39.94727)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 458 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 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 | $37.86 | $75.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.70 | $85.40 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.73 | $93.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.25 | $106.50 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.