How far is Waukegan, IL from Preston Heights, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Preston Heights, IL is about 78.4 miles (126.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 61.5 miles (98.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 22m 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 41m.
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 Cook County, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Preston Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Preston 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
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
5.8 mi · 7 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 South: Joliet
1.2 km · 56 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
21.1 mi · 24 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Iowa
3275 ft · 56 sec
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17
Merge slight left
6.6 mi · 9 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 52, IL 53: Chicago Street
947 ft · 32 sec
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19
Turn right onto South Chicago Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · South Chicago Street
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20
Turn right onto Zurich Road
82 m · 13 sec · Zurich Road
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21
Turn left onto Haviland Drive
61 m · 9 sec · Haviland Drive
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Haviland Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Preston Heights.
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.
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
21.1 mi · 00h 24m
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 Preston Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Preston Heights?
The road trip is about 78.4 miles (126.1 km) and usually takes 01h 41m 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?
Berkeley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.2 miles from Waukegan and 39.2 miles from Preston Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 61.5 miles (98.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.9 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 3:08 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.45 one way or $20.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Preston Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Berkeley
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 Berkeley.
La Grange Road
Summit
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Preston Heights. Straight-line distance: 61.47 mi (98.92 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 Preston Heights
Census designated place
| Population | 2,575 |
| Coordinates | 41.4917000, -88.0817200 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: Preston Heights (-88.08172, 41.4917)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 126 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $10.45 | $20.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $11.78 | $23.56 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $12.89 | $25.78 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $14.69 | $29.38 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.