How far is Waukegan, IL from La Salle, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to La Salle, IL is about 126.6 miles (203.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 95.8 miles (154.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 07m 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 02h 33m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and La Salle.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and La Salle.
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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
25.9 mi · 32 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Iowa
1.3 km · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left
47.2 mi · 51 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomington
2489 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: LaSalle, Peru, Ottowa
1945 ft · 48 sec
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18
Turn right
1 mi · 2 min
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19
Turn right onto Tonti Street
52 m · 7 sec · Tonti Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tonti Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and La Salle.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 80 West
Merge slight left
47.2 mi · 00h 51m
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 Sunny near La Salle.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to La Salle?
The road trip is about 126.6 miles (203.7 km) and usually takes 02h 33m 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?
Romeoville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.3 miles from Waukegan and 63.3 miles from La Salle.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 95.8 miles (154.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.86 one way or $33.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Sunny near La Salle.
Stop Ideas Near Romeoville
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 Romeoville.
Joliet Transportation Center
Naperville
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and La Salle. Straight-line distance: 95.84 mi (154.24 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 Salle
City in LaSalle County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 9,609 |
| Coordinates | 41.3333700, -89.0917500 |
| Altitude | 174 |
| Country | United States |
End: La Salle (-89.09175, 41.33337)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 204 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.86 | $33.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.01 | $38.02 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.80 | $41.61 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.71 | $47.42 |
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.