How far is Waukegan, IL from Near South Side, IL?

The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Near South Side, IL is about 42.4 miles (68.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 36.8 miles (59.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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
42.38 mi
01h 00m
Flight
36.8 mi
59.22 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
36.8 mi
Kilometers
59.22 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
42.38 mi
Kilometers
68.21 km
Drive Time
01h 00m

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 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Near South Side
Fri, Nov 6, 1:08 PM CST
Return by in Waukegan
Fri, Nov 6, 2:08 PM CST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waukegan
2026-11-06T12:08
Arrive Near South Side
Fri, Nov 6, 1:08 PM CST
Route Timing
01h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM CST

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

Leave by
4:30 PM CST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waukegan
9:30 PM CST
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
Northfield
IL

Village in Cook County, Illinois

From Waukegan
21.2 mi
00h 30m
To Near South Side
21.2 mi
00h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
47°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 6:00 AM CST
Wind
15 to 20 mph NNW
Destination
50°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 6:00 AM CST
Wind
15 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Near South Side.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Near South Side.

  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

    8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street

    1398 ft · 34 sec

  13. 13

    Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue

    63 m · 13 sec · South Union Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left onto West 18th Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · West 18th Street

  15. 15

    Continue on East 18th Street

    921 ft · 27 sec · East 18th Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South Michigan Avenue

    875 ft · 21 sec · South Michigan Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Cullerton Street

    69 m · 12 sec · East Cullerton Street

  18. 18

    Turn right

    136 m · 33 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Near South Side.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
44.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 32%
Kennedy Expressway
8.12 mi · 19%
North Skokie Highway
5.61 mi · 13%
Skokie Highway
3.76 mi · 9%
Skokie Valley Road
3.38 mi · 8%
South Lewis Avenue
2.91 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 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.6 mi
36.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Northfield
00h 30m from Waukegan
Leave By
4:30 PM CST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Partly Sunny near Near South Side.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Near South Side?

The road trip is about 42.4 miles (68.2 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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?

Northfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.2 miles from Waukegan and 21.2 miles from Near South Side.

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

The direct path is about 36.8 miles (59.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.6 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:30 PM CST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.91 one way or $13.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Waukegan and Partly Sunny near Near South Side.

Stop Ideas Near Northfield

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Northfield, 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 Northfield.

RAIL

Glenview station

3 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

27 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

32 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

34 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Near South Side. Straight-line distance: 36.8 mi (59.22 km).

Waukegan

#1 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Near South Side

Near South Side is a place in Illinois, United States.

Population0
Coordinates41.8567000, -87.6247700
Altitude181
CountryUnited States
Start: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
End: Near South Side (-87.62477, 41.8567)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 68 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.5 gal
5.66 L · about $6.91
Round trip
$13.82
3 gal · 11.32 L
Estimated CO2
13.3 kg one way
Round trip: 26.7 kg / 59 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.61 $6.91 $13.82
Mid-grade $5.24 $7.86 $15.72
Premium $5.79 $8.69 $17.38
Diesel $6.59 $9.89 $19.78

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 · Nov 06, 2026

There is no time difference between Waukegan and Near South Side. The current time is 12:08:14.

Distance to Other Cities

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