How far is Waukegan, IL from Murphysboro, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Murphysboro, IL is about 374.5 miles (602.7 km), with a travel time of about 07h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 327.4 miles (526.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 25m 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 07h 12m.
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.
Township in Champaign County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Murphysboro.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Murphysboro.
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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 right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
32.7 mi · 35 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Johnston City, Herrin
1506 ft · 39 sec
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17
Turn right onto Herrin Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · Herrin Road
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18
Continue on East Herrin Street
3.1 mi · 5 min · East Herrin Street
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19
Continue on Herrin Road
3.5 mi · 5 min · Herrin Road
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Cambria Road
11 m · 1 sec · Cambria Road
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21
Exit the roundabout onto Cambria Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Cambria Road
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22
Turn left onto Russell Street
11.3 mi · 16 min · Russell Street
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23
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
1.4 km · 1 min · North 2nd Street
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24
Turn right onto Walnut Street
2911 ft · 1 min · Walnut Street
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25
Turn right onto North 11th Street
20 m · 3 sec · North 11th Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 11th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Murphysboro.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waukegan and Sunny near Murphysboro.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Murphysboro?
The road trip is about 374.5 miles (602.7 km) and usually takes 07h 12m 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?
Pesotum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 187.3 miles from Waukegan and 187.2 miles from Murphysboro.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 327.4 miles (526.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.1 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 $49.81 one way or $99.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 117.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukegan and Sunny near Murphysboro.
Stop Ideas Near Pesotum
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 Pesotum.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Mattoon station
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Murphysboro. Straight-line distance: 327.38 mi (526.87 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 Murphysboro
Town in Illinois
| Population | 7,384 |
| Coordinates | 37.7645000, -89.3350900 |
| Altitude | 128 |
| Country | United States |
End: Murphysboro (-89.33509, 37.7645)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 603 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $49.81 | $99.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $56.18 | $112.36 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $61.48 | $122.96 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $70.07 | $140.13 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.