How far is Waukegan, IL from Oswego, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Oswego, IL is about 70.2 miles (112.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 53.7 miles (86.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 39m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Oswego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Oswego.
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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
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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4
Continue on Belvidere Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
1511 ft · 37 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
13.9 mi · 16 min · Tri-State Tollway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
20.1 mi · 25 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1.5 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1251 ft · 31 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 West Toll: Aurora
2633 ft · 50 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.2 km · 60 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
15.2 mi · 19 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 59
2023 ft · 49 sec
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15
Turn slight left onto IL 59 South: Naperville, Plainfield
83 m · 9 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Illinois Route 59
3.5 mi · 7 min · Illinois Route 59
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17
Turn right onto West Ogden Avenue
7.7 mi · 14 min · West Ogden Avenue
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18
Continue straight
1.1 km · 1 min
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19
Continue straight
92 m · 10 sec
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20
Turn right onto Chicago Road
3057 ft · 1 min · Chicago Road
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21
Continue on Madison Street
128 m · 12 sec · Madison Street
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Madison Street
90 m · 18 sec · Madison Street
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23
Turn left onto East Washington Street
16 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Oswego.
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.
Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
20.1 mi · 00h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Waukegan and Rain Showers Likely near Oswego.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Oswego?
The road trip is about 70.2 miles (112.9 km) and usually takes 01h 39m 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?
Northlake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35 miles from Waukegan and 35.1 miles from Oswego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 53.7 miles (86.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.35 one way or $18.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Waukegan and Rain Showers Likely near Oswego.
Stop Ideas Near Northlake
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 Northlake.
La Grange Road
Summit
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Oswego. Straight-line distance: 53.75 mi (86.5 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 Oswego
City in and county seat of Oswego County, New York, United States
| Population | 36,696 |
| Coordinates | 41.6828100, -88.3514600 |
| Altitude | 195 |
| Country | United States |
End: Oswego (-88.35146, 41.68281)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 113 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $9.35 | $18.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $10.55 | $21.09 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $11.54 | $23.08 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $13.15 | $26.31 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.