How far is Waukegan, IL from Pana, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Pana, IL is about 247.8 miles (398.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 215.4 miles (346.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 05h 00m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Pana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Pana.
-
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
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
-
4
Continue on Belvidere Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
1511 ft · 37 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
13.9 mi · 16 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
22.7 mi · 29 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
-
12
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119.4 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
2.1 mi · 2 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
1616 ft · 40 sec
-
15
Continue on North 1450 East Road
14.7 mi · 18 min · North 1450 East Road
-
16
Continue on North Walnut Street
23.2 mi · 30 min · North Walnut Street
-
17
Turn straight
9.9 mi · 15 min
-
18
Take the ramp straight toward South Business Route 51
19.6 mi · 24 min · South Business Route 51
-
19
Continue on North 2600 East Rd
7.9 mi · 9 min · North 2600 East Rd
-
20
Turn right onto North 2600 East Road
1.6 km · 2 min · North 2600 East Road
-
21
Continue on Jackson Street
2668 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street
-
22
Turn left onto Cedar Street
142 m · 8 sec · Cedar Street
-
23
Turn right onto East 1st Street
2150 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street
-
24
Turn left onto South Poplar Street
141 m · 13 sec · South Poplar Street
-
25
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
26 m · 4 sec · East 2nd Street
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Pana.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119 mi · 02h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Pana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Pana?
The road trip is about 247.8 miles (398.8 km) and usually takes 05h 00m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rooks Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124 miles from Waukegan and 123.8 miles from Pana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 215.4 miles (346.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.4 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 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.96 one way or $65.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Pana.
Stop Ideas Near Rooks Creek
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 Rooks Creek.
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Uptown Station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Pana. Straight-line distance: 215.42 mi (346.68 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 Pana
Town in Christian County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 5,327 |
| Coordinates | 39.3889300, -89.0800800 |
| Altitude | 213 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pana (-89.08008, 39.38893)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 399 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.96 | $65.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.17 | $74.34 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.68 | $81.35 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.36 | $92.71 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.