How far is Waukegan, IL from Portage Park, IL?

The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Portage Park, IL is about 32.6 miles (52.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
32.65 mi
00h 45m
Flight
28.33 mi
45.6 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waukegan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
28.33 mi
Kilometers
45.6 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
32.65 mi
Kilometers
52.54 km
Drive Time
00h 45m

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 00h 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Portage Park
Mon, Nov 9, 1:10 PM CST
Return by in Waukegan
Mon, Nov 9, 1:55 PM CST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waukegan
2026-11-09T12:24
Arrive Portage Park
Mon, Nov 9, 1:10 PM CST
Route Timing
00h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:46 AM to 10:46 AM CST

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:58 PM CST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waukegan
9:30 PM CST
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Highland Park
IL

City in Lake County, Illinois, United States

From Waukegan
16.3 mi
00h 22m
To Portage Park
16.3 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
This Afternoon

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Nov 9 12:00 PM CST
Wind
10 mph SW
Destination
61°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Nov 9 6:00 AM CST
Wind
0 to 10 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Portage Park.

  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

    13.1 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Wilson Avenue

    1251 ft · 35 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto West Wilson Avenue

    28 m · 11 sec · West Wilson Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto North Cicero Avenue

    1411 ft · 28 sec · North Cicero Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West Montrose Avenue

    1.4 km · 2 min · West Montrose Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left onto North Linder Avenue

    998 ft · 45 sec · North Linder Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto West Hutchinson Street

    30 m · 4 sec · West Hutchinson Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Hutchinson Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
16 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
49.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Edens Expressway
13.1 mi · 40%
North Skokie Highway
5.61 mi · 17%
Skokie Highway
3.76 mi · 12%
Skokie Valley Road
3.38 mi · 10%
South Lewis Avenue
2.91 mi · 9%
Buckley Road
1.07 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Edens Expressway

Continue on Edens Expressway

13.1 mi · 00h 17m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.3 mi
28.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Highland Park
00h 22m from Waukegan
Leave By
4:58 PM CST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Portage Park.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Portage Park?

The road trip is about 32.6 miles (52.5 km) and usually takes 00h 45m 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?

Highland Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.3 miles from Waukegan and 16.3 miles from Portage Park.

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

The direct path is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:58 PM CST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.17 one way or $10.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Portage Park.

Stop Ideas Near Highland Park

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Highland Park, 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 Highland Park.

RAIL

Glenview station

12 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

36 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

41 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

43 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Portage Park. Straight-line distance: 28.33 mi (45.6 km).

Waukegan

#1 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Portage Park

Portage Park is a place in Illinois, United States.

Population0
Coordinates41.9578100, -87.7650600
Altitude188
CountryUnited States
Start: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
End: Portage Park (-87.76506, 41.95781)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 53 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 39m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.15 gal
4.36 L · about $5.17
Round trip
$10.34
2.3 gal · 8.72 L
Estimated CO2
10.2 kg one way
Round trip: 20.4 kg / 45 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.50 $5.17 $10.34
Mid-grade $5.12 $5.89 $11.77
Premium $5.68 $6.53 $13.06
Diesel $6.52 $7.50 $15.00

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 · Nov 09, 2026

There is no time difference between Waukegan and Portage Park. The current time is 12:24:38.

Distance to Other Cities

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