How far is Waukegan, IL from Peoria Heights, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Peoria Heights, IL is about 190.8 miles (307.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 143 miles (230.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 41m 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 50m.
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.
Township in Grundy County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Rain Showers
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Peoria Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Peoria Heights.
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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
25.9 mi · 32 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Iowa
1.3 km · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left
64.2 mi · 1 hr 9 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 180 South: Hennepin
1 mi · 2 min
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16
Continue straight
8.7 mi · 9 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Peoria
2.1 mi · 2 min
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18
Continue straight
32.6 mi · 39 min
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19
Continue on North Galena Road
5.6 mi · 8 min · North Galena Road
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20
Turn right onto East Roosevelt Road
2181 ft · 2 min · East Roosevelt Road
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21
Turn right onto North Grand View Drive
1.1 km · 2 min · North Grand View Drive
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22
Turn right onto North Prospect Road
1 m · 1 sec · North Prospect Road
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Prospect Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Peoria Heights.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 80 West
Merge slight left
64.2 mi · 01h 09m
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.
Scattered Rain Showers leaving Waukegan and Partly Cloudy near Peoria Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Peoria Heights?
The road trip is about 190.8 miles (307.1 km) and usually takes 03h 50m 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?
Nettle Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.4 miles from Waukegan and 95.4 miles from Peoria Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 143 miles (230.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.8 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 9:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.38 one way or $50.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around Waukegan and Partly Cloudy near Peoria Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Nettle 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 Nettle Creek.
Plano
Dwight station
Joliet Transportation Center
Mendota station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Peoria Heights. Straight-line distance: 143.05 mi (230.22 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 Peoria Heights
Village in eastern Peoria County, Illinois
| Population | 5,722 |
| Coordinates | 40.7472600, -89.5739800 |
| Altitude | 239 |
| Country | United States |
End: Peoria Heights (-89.57398, 40.74726)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 307 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.38 | $50.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.62 | $57.25 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.32 | $62.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.70 | $71.39 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.