How far is Waukegan, IL from Lake Bluff, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Lake Bluff, IL is about 8.2 miles (13.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 5.9 miles (9.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 14m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City and suburb of Chicago, Illinois, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Lake Bluff.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Lake Bluff.
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1
Start on North Jackson Street
1375 ft · 42 sec · North Jackson Street
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2
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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3
Take the ramp right toward IL 137 South: Melvin Amstutz Highway
833 ft · 23 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Melvin Amstutz Highway
1.1 km · 55 sec · Melvin Amstutz Highway
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5
Continue on South Sheridan Road
2.4 mi · 3 min · South Sheridan Road
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6
Continue on Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
1.4 km · 59 sec · Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
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7
Turn left onto Buckley Road
1210 ft · 28 sec · Buckley Road
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8
Turn left onto Sheridan Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Sheridan Road
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9
Turn sharp left onto Sheridan Rd Cutoff
138 m · 17 sec · Sheridan Rd Cutoff
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10
Turn right onto West Scranton Avenue
66 m · 6 sec · West Scranton Avenue
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11
Continue on East Center Avenue
2977 ft · 2 min · East Center Avenue
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12
Continue on East Center Avenue
87 m · 13 sec · East Center Avenue
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Center Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Lake Bluff.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
South Sheridan Road
Continue on South Sheridan Road
2.41 mi · 00h 03m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Waukegan and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Bluff.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Lake Bluff?
The road trip is about 8.2 miles (13.2 km) and usually takes 00h 14m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
North Chicago is a useful midpoint, sitting about 4.1 miles from Waukegan and 4.1 miles from Lake Bluff.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 5.9 miles (9.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:00 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.09 one way or $2.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Waukegan and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Bluff.
Stop Ideas Near North Chicago
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 North Chicago.
Glenview station
Sturtevant station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Lake Bluff. Straight-line distance: 5.88 mi (9.46 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 Lake Bluff
Village in Illinois
| Population | 5,524 |
| Coordinates | 42.2789100, -87.8342400 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Bluff (-87.83424, 42.27891)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 13 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $1.09 | $2.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $1.23 | $2.47 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $1.35 | $2.70 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $1.54 | $3.08 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.