How far is Waukegan, IL from Pekin, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Pekin, IL is about 200.3 miles (322.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 155 miles (249.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 49m 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 03h 54m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Village in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Pekin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Pekin.
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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
22.7 mi · 29 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
113 mi · 2 hr 7 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West: Peoria
2888 ft · 49 sec
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14
Continue straight
27.4 mi · 29 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
5.1 mi · 5 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 29: Pekin, East Peoria
1906 ft · 52 sec
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17
Turn left onto South Main Street
766 ft · 13 sec · South Main Street
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18
Continue on Radio City Drive
2.1 mi · 3 min · Radio City Drive
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Radio City Drive
1.5 mi · 2 min · Radio City Drive
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20
Continue on North 8th Street
3002 ft · 51 sec · North 8th Street
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21
Continue on North 5th Street
2473 ft · 47 sec · North 5th Street
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22
Turn left onto Margaret Street
1057 ft · 18 sec · Margaret Street
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23
Continue on Court Street
143 m · 15 sec · Court Street
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24
Turn left onto South 8th Street
68 m · 4 sec · South 8th Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 8th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Pekin.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
113 mi · 02h 07m
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 Mostly Sunny near Pekin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Pekin?
The road trip is about 200.3 miles (322.3 km) and usually takes 03h 54m 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?
Gardner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.1 miles from Waukegan and 100.2 miles from Pekin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 155 miles (249.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.3 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 9:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.66 one way or $53.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Pekin.
Stop Ideas Near Gardner
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 Gardner.
Dwight station
Kankakee
Joliet Transportation Center
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Pekin. Straight-line distance: 155.06 mi (249.54 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 Pekin
County seat of Tazewell County, Illinois
| Population | 31,808 |
| Coordinates | 40.5675400, -89.6406600 |
| Altitude | 153 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pekin (-89.64066, 40.56754)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 322 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.66 | $53.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.07 | $60.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.90 | $65.81 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.50 | $75.00 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.