How far is Waukegan, IL from Manhattan, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Manhattan, IL is about 80.2 miles (129 km), with a travel time of about 01h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 65.4 miles (105.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 33m 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 01h 46m.
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.
Village in United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Manhattan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Manhattan.
-
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
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
-
4
Continue on Belvidere Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
1511 ft · 37 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
13.9 mi · 16 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
20.1 mi · 25 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1.5 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1251 ft · 31 sec · Tri-State Tollway
-
10
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 West Toll: Aurora
2633 ft · 50 sec
-
12
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.2 km · 60 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 South: Joliet
1.2 km · 56 sec
-
15
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.9 mi · 23 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Southwest Highway
2125 ft · 52 sec
-
17
Turn right onto Maple Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Maple Road
-
18
Turn left onto Gougar Road
4.5 mi · 7 min · Gougar Road
-
19
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Laraway Road
1 mi · 2 min · East Laraway Road
-
20
Turn left onto Cherry Hill Road
2519 ft · 1 min · Cherry Hill Road
-
21
Turn left onto Manhattan Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Manhattan Road
-
22
Continue on West North Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · West North Street
-
23
Continue on South State Street
901 ft · 23 sec · South State Street
-
24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Manhattan.
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.
Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
20.1 mi · 00h 25m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Waukegan and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Manhattan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Manhattan?
The road trip is about 80.2 miles (129 km) and usually takes 01h 46m 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?
Hillside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.1 miles from Waukegan and 40.1 miles from Manhattan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 65.4 miles (105.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.8 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 2:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.67 one way or $21.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Waukegan and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Manhattan.
Stop Ideas Near Hillside
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 Hillside.
La Grange Road
Summit
Chicago Union Station
Glenview station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Manhattan. Straight-line distance: 65.43 mi (105.3 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 Manhattan
Village in Illinois
| Population | 8,798 |
| Coordinates | 41.4225300, -87.9858900 |
| Altitude | 208 |
| Country | United States |
End: Manhattan (-87.98589, 41.42253)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 129 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $10.67 | $21.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.04 | $24.07 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $13.17 | $26.34 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $15.01 | $30.02 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.