How far is Waukegan, IL from Northfield, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Northfield, IL is about 21.6 miles (34.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.5 miles (29.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 32m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in Lake County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Northfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Northfield.
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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
1.7 mi · 2 min · Edens Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward East Tower Road
1553 ft · 38 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Willow Road, Kohl Children's Museum
38 m · 8 sec
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12
Turn left onto Frontage Road
2823 ft · 1 min · Frontage Road
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13
Continue on Central Avenue
2272 ft · 1 min · Central Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Willow Road
2652 ft · 1 min · Willow Road
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15
Turn left onto Wagner Road
682 ft · 21 sec · Wagner Road
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16
Turn right onto Bosworth Lane
24 m · 4 sec · Bosworth Lane
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Bosworth Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Northfield.
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.
North Skokie Highway
Turn left onto North Skokie Highway
5.61 mi · 00h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waukegan and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Northfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Northfield?
The road trip is about 21.6 miles (34.8 km) and usually takes 00h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lake Forest is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.8 miles from Waukegan and 10.8 miles from Northfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.5 miles (29.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:26 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.87 one way or $5.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukegan and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Northfield.
Stop Ideas Near Lake Forest
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 Lake Forest.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Sturtevant station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Northfield. Straight-line distance: 18.52 mi (29.81 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 Northfield
Village in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 5,387 |
| Coordinates | 42.0997500, -87.7809000 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Northfield (-87.7809, 42.09975)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 35 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.87 | $5.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.23 | $6.46 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.54 | $7.07 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.03 | $8.06 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.