How far is Waukegan, IL from Lyons, IL?

The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Lyons, IL is about 45.4 miles (73 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 38 miles (61.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
45.38 mi
01h 08m
Flight
38.05 mi
61.23 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waukegan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
38.05 mi
Kilometers
61.23 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
45.38 mi
Kilometers
73.03 km
Drive Time
01h 08m

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 01h 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lyons
Tue, May 12, 11:53 PM CDT
Return by in Waukegan
Wed, May 13, 1:02 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waukegan
2026-05-12T22:45
Arrive Lyons
Tue, May 12, 11:53 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:09 AM to 11:09 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waukegan
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Glenview
IL

Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

From Waukegan
22.7 mi
00h 34m
To Lyons
22.7 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph SSW
Destination
75°F
Tuesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Lyons.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Lyons.

  1. 1

    Start on North Jackson Street

    2647 ft · 1 min · North Jackson Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue

    2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Belvidere Street

    1368 ft · 34 sec · Belvidere Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue

    2.9 mi · 5 min · South Lewis Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Buckley Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Buckley Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Skokie Highway

    5.6 mi · 7 min · North Skokie Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Skokie Valley Road

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Skokie Highway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Edens Expressway

    13.7 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

  10. 10

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    2222 ft · 35 sec · Kennedy Expressway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 19: Irving Park Road, Keeler Avenue

    1332 ft · 35 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto North Keeler Avenue

    68 m · 17 sec · North Keeler Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto North Avondale Avenue

    1681 ft · 48 sec · North Avondale Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto North Pulaski Road

    2 mi · 4 min · North Pulaski Road

  15. 15

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Belden Avenue

    52 m · 10 sec · West Belden Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto North Pulaski Road

    4.9 mi · 10 min · North Pulaski Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Ogden Avenue

    4.5 mi · 8 min · West Ogden Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto South Harlem Avenue

    2165 ft · 51 sec · South Harlem Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn slight right onto Joliet Road

    2857 ft · 50 sec · Joliet Road

  20. 20

    Continue on 43rd Street

    1643 ft · 28 sec · 43rd Street

  21. 21

    Continue on 43rd Street

    69 m · 8 sec · 43rd Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 43rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Lyons.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
22 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
48.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 30%
North Pulaski Road
6.9 mi · 15%
North Skokie Highway
5.61 mi · 12%
West Ogden Avenue
4.47 mi · 10%
Skokie Highway
3.76 mi · 8%
Skokie Valley Road
3.38 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

Edens Expressway

Continue on Edens Expressway

13.7 mi · 00h 17m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.4 mi
38 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Glenview
00h 34m from Waukegan
Leave By
4:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waukegan and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lyons.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Lyons?

The road trip is about 45.4 miles (73 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?

Glenview is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.7 miles from Waukegan and 22.7 miles from Lyons.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 38 miles (61.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.4 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 4:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.03 one way or $12.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukegan and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lyons.

Stop Ideas Near Glenview

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Glenview, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Glenview.

RAIL

Glenview station

2 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

25 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

29 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

31 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Lyons. Straight-line distance: 38.05 mi (61.23 km).

Waukegan

#1 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Lyons

#2 Lyons

Village in Illinois United States of America

Population10,247
Coordinates41.8133700, -87.8181100
Altitude189
CountryUnited States
Start: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
End: Lyons (-87.81811, 41.81337)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 73 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.6 gal
6.06 L · about $6.03
Round trip
$12.07
3.2 gal · 12.12 L
Estimated CO2
14.2 kg one way
Round trip: 28.4 kg / 63 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.03 $12.07
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.80 $13.61
Premium $4.65 $7.45 $14.89
Diesel $5.30 $8.49 $16.97

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Waukegan and Lyons. The current time is 22:45:02.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.