How far is Waukegan, IL from Philo, IL?

The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Philo, IL is about 186.1 miles (299.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
186.09 mi
03h 49m
Flight
163.64 mi
263.36 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waukegan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
163.64 mi
Kilometers
263.36 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
186.09 mi
Kilometers
299.48 km
Drive Time
03h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Philo
Sun, May 3, 11:12 AM CDT
Return by in Waukegan
Sun, May 3, 3:01 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waukegan
2026-05-03T07:23
Arrive Philo
Sun, May 3, 11:12 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:49 AM to 11:49 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:22 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waukegan
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Bourbonnais
IL

Human settlement in Kankakee County, Illinois, United States of America

From Waukegan
93.1 mi
01h 54m
To Philo
93 mi
01h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph SW
Destination
38°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Sun, May 3 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Philo.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Philo.

  1. 1

    Start on North Jackson Street

    2647 ft · 1 min · North Jackson Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue

    2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Belvidere Street

    1368 ft · 34 sec · Belvidere Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue

    2.9 mi · 5 min · South Lewis Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Buckley Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Buckley Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Skokie Highway

    5.6 mi · 7 min · North Skokie Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Skokie Valley Road

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Skokie Highway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Edens Expressway

    13.7 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

  10. 10

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

    117.8 mi · 2 hr 11 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Market Street

    1379 ft · 27 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left

    29 m · 5 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Market Street

    3.2 mi · 5 min · Market Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Marketview Drive

    1336 ft · 40 sec · East Marketview Drive

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North Neil Street

    1475 ft · 42 sec · North Neil Street

  19. 19

    Take the ramp left

    1410 ft · 34 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    3.5 mi · 4 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 130: University Avenue

    1897 ft · 40 sec

  22. 22

    Continue straight

    2282 ft · 46 sec

  23. 23

    Turn left onto East University Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East University Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn right onto North High Cross Road

    2694 ft · 56 sec · North High Cross Road

  25. 25

    Continue on South High Cross Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · South High Cross Road

  26. 26

    Continue on County Road 1600 East

    5.6 mi · 10 min · County Road 1600 East

  27. 27

    Continue on North Lincoln Street

    2103 ft · 49 sec · North Lincoln Street

  28. 28

    Turn left onto Washington Street

    934 ft · 41 sec · Washington Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Washington Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Philo.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
29 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
118 mi · 63%
Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 7%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.83 mi · 5%
Kennedy Expressway
8.12 mi · 4%
North Skokie Highway
5.61 mi · 3%
County Road 1600 East
5.55 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

118 mi · 02h 11m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 49m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.4 mi
163.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bourbonnais
01h 54m from Waukegan
Leave By
9:22 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Waukegan and Mostly Clear near Philo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Philo?

The road trip is about 186.1 miles (299.5 km) and usually takes 03h 49m 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?

Bourbonnais is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.1 miles from Waukegan and 93 miles from Philo.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.4 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 9:22 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.78 one way or $49.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Waukegan and Mostly Clear near Philo.

Stop Ideas Near Bourbonnais

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Bourbonnais, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bourbonnais.

RAIL

Kankakee

4 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Gilman

44 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

44 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Dwight station

46 mi away
119 West Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Philo. Straight-line distance: 163.64 mi (263.36 km).

Waukegan

#1 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Philo

#2 Philo

City in Muskingum County, Ohio, United States of America

Population1,378
Coordinates40.0069800, -88.1581000
Altitude224
CountryUnited States
Start: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
End: Philo (-88.1581, 40.00698)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 299 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.57 gal
24.86 L · about $24.78
Round trip
$49.55
13.14 gal · 49.72 L
Estimated CO2
58.4 kg one way
Round trip: 116.8 kg / 257 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.78 $49.55
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.94 $55.88
Premium $4.65 $30.58 $61.15
Diesel $5.30 $34.85 $69.69

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 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Waukegan and Philo. The current time is 07:23:32.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.