How far is Waukegan, IL from McLeansboro, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to McLeansboro, IL is about 346.8 miles (558.2 km), with a travel time of about 06h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 297.3 miles (478.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 21m 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 40m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and McLeansboro.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and McLeansboro.
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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
1368 ft · 34 sec · Belvidere Street
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4
Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue
2.9 mi · 5 min · South Lewis Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Buckley Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Buckley Road
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6
Turn left onto North Skokie Highway
5.6 mi · 7 min · North Skokie Highway
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7
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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8
Continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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9
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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10
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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11
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
200.8 mi · 3 hr 41 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
65.7 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 East: Louisville
10.7 mi · 12 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Belle Rive, Bluford
1901 ft · 36 sec
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17
Turn right onto County Highway 17
736 ft · 15 sec · County Highway 17
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18
Continue on Brehm Lane
2.2 mi · 4 min · Brehm Lane
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19
Continue on North Main Street
2227 ft · 46 sec · North Main Street
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20
Turn left
11.5 mi · 17 min
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21
Continue on County Road 6
3.8 mi · 6 min · County Road 6
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22
Turn right onto South Washington Street
134 m · 13 sec · South Washington Street
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23
Turn left onto East Main Street
132 m · 13 sec · East Main Street
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24
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
56 m · 3 sec · South Jackson Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and McLeansboro.
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
201 mi · 03h 41m
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 Sunny near McLeansboro.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to McLeansboro?
The road trip is about 346.8 miles (558.2 km) and usually takes 06h 40m 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?
Champaign is a useful midpoint, sitting about 173.5 miles from Waukegan and 173.4 miles from McLeansboro.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 297.3 miles (478.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.5 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 $46.16 one way or $92.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 108.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Sunny near McLeansboro.
Stop Ideas Near Champaign
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 Champaign.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Mattoon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and McLeansboro. Straight-line distance: 297.28 mi (478.43 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 McLeansboro
City in Illinois
| Population | 2,730 |
| Coordinates | 38.0933800, -88.5356100 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
End: McLeansboro (-88.53561, 38.09338)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 558 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $46.16 | $92.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $52.06 | $104.11 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $56.96 | $113.93 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $64.92 | $129.84 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.