How far is Waukegan, IL from Mount Vernon, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Mount Vernon, IL is about 317.6 miles (511.2 km), with a travel time of about 06h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 285.1 miles (458.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 06m 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 03m.
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.
Village in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Mount Vernon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Mount Vernon.
-
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
200.8 mi · 3 hr 41 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
62.7 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 15: Ashley, Mt. Vernon
1624 ft · 42 sec
-
16
Turn straight onto Broadway Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · Broadway Street
-
17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Mount Vernon.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Mount Vernon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Mount Vernon?
The road trip is about 317.6 miles (511.2 km) and usually takes 06h 03m 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?
Rantoul is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.9 miles from Waukegan and 158.7 miles from Mount Vernon.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 285.1 miles (458.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.5 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 $42.27 one way or $84.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Mount Vernon.
Stop Ideas Near Rantoul
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 Rantoul.
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Danville, Illinois
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Mount Vernon. Straight-line distance: 285.07 mi (458.78 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 Mount Vernon
City located near the center of Jefferson County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 14,511 |
| Coordinates | 38.3172700, -88.9031200 |
| Altitude | 156 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mount Vernon (-88.90312, 38.31727)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 511 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $42.27 | $84.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $47.68 | $95.35 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $52.17 | $104.34 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $59.46 | $118.92 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.