How far is Waukegan, IL from Lancaster, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Lancaster, IL is about 311.2 miles (500.8 km), with a travel time of about 06h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 263.6 miles (424.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 17m 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 38m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Lancaster.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Lancaster.
-
1
Start on North Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · North Jackson Street
-
2
Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto Belvidere Street
1368 ft · 34 sec · Belvidere Street
-
4
Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue
2.9 mi · 5 min · South Lewis Avenue
-
5
Turn right onto Buckley Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Buckley Road
-
6
Turn left onto North Skokie Highway
5.6 mi · 7 min · North Skokie Highway
-
7
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
-
8
Continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
-
9
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
-
10
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
-
11
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
168.9 mi · 3 hr 6 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 16 East: Charleston
1676 ft · 47 sec
-
15
Turn straight onto Charleston Avenue East
1.2 km · 1 min · Charleston Avenue East
-
16
Continue on Illinois Route 16
6 mi · 8 min · Illinois Route 16
-
17
Continue on West Lincoln Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · West Lincoln Avenue
-
18
Turn right onto 18th Street
1.6 mi · 2 min · 18th Street
-
19
Continue on Illinois Route 130
1.2 km · 1 min · Illinois Route 130
-
20
Continue on Route 130
10 mi · 15 min · Route 130
-
21
Continue on County Road 1825 East
2 mi · 3 min · County Road 1825 East
-
22
Continue on County Road 1775 E
1.3 km · 1 min · County Road 1775 E
-
23
Continue on North Haughton Highway
1945 ft · 33 sec · North Haughton Highway
-
24
Continue on 1700E
1.3 mi · 2 min · 1700E
-
25
Continue on North Haughton Highway
4 mi · 6 min · North Haughton Highway
-
26
Continue on County Road 1700E
2.1 mi · 3 min · County Road 1700E
-
27
Continue on North 1250th Street
13.3 mi · 20 min · North 1250th Street
-
28
Turn left onto South Van Buren Street
11 mi · 15 min · South Van Buren Street
-
29
Continue on County Road 1100 East
6.7 mi · 9 min · County Road 1100 East
-
30
Continue on North West Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · North West Street
-
31
Continue on County Road 1150
14.3 mi · 20 min · County Road 1150
-
32
Turn left onto County Road 1850 N
2 mi · 5 min · County Road 1850 N
-
33
Continue on Champion Drive
1.2 km · 2 min · Champion Drive
-
34
Continue on West Lancaster Road
3.5 mi · 9 min · West Lancaster Road
-
35
Continue straight
5.3 mi · 13 min
-
36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Lancaster.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 South
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
169 mi · 03h 06m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Lancaster.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Lancaster?
The road trip is about 311.2 miles (500.8 km) and usually takes 06h 38m 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?
Ludlow is a useful midpoint, sitting about 155.7 miles from Waukegan and 155.5 miles from Lancaster.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 263.6 miles (424.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.6 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 $41.41 one way or $82.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Lancaster.
Stop Ideas Near Ludlow
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 Ludlow.
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Gilman
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Lancaster. Straight-line distance: 263.65 mi (424.3 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 Lancaster
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,411 |
| Coordinates | 38.5478300, -87.8653100 |
| Altitude | 148 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lancaster (-87.86531, 38.54783)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 501 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.41 | $82.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.70 | $93.40 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $51.10 | $102.20 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $58.24 | $116.48 |
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.