How far is Waukegan, IL from Plano, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Plano, IL is about 83.3 miles (134 km), with a travel time of about 01h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 60.1 miles (96.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 42m 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 51m.
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.
Village in United States of America
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 Plano.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Plano.
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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
25.1 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on IL 56 West: Sugar Grove
4.2 mi · 6 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 East, IL 47: Sugar Grove, Elburn
956 ft · 33 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on IL 47 South, US 30 East: Sugar Grove
667 ft · 14 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Illinois Route 47
983 ft · 19 sec · Illinois Route 47
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18
Continue on United States Route 30
2.8 mi · 3 min · United States Route 30
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19
Continue on North Bridge Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Bridge Street
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20
Turn right onto Galena Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Galena Road
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21
Turn left onto Rock Creek Road
3.2 mi · 6 min · Rock Creek Road
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22
Continue on Big Rock Avenue
2060 ft · 57 sec · Big Rock Avenue
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23
Continue on East Lee Street
1792 ft · 59 sec · East Lee Street
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24
Turn left onto North Hale Street
1541 ft · 46 sec · North Hale Street
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25
Turn right onto East Main Street
526 ft · 15 sec · East Main Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Plano.
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.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
25.1 mi · 00h 30m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Plano.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Plano?
The road trip is about 83.3 miles (134 km) and usually takes 01h 51m 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?
Hillside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.6 miles from Waukegan and 41.6 miles from Plano.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 60.1 miles (96.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.2 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 2:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.09 one way or $22.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Plano.
Stop Ideas Near Hillside
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 Hillside.
La Grange Road
Summit
Chicago Union Station
Glenview station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Plano. Straight-line distance: 60.06 mi (96.66 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 Plano
City in Kendall County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 11,879 |
| Coordinates | 41.6628100, -88.5370200 |
| Altitude | 198 |
| Country | United States |
End: Plano (-88.53702, 41.66281)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 134 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.09 | $22.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.50 | $25.01 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $13.68 | $27.37 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $15.59 | $31.19 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.