How far is Waukegan, IL from Rock Grove, IL?

The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Rock Grove, IL is about 111.6 miles (179.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 85.3 miles (137.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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
111.6 mi
02h 28m
Flight
85.33 mi
137.32 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
85.33 mi
Kilometers
137.32 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
111.6 mi
Kilometers
179.61 km
Drive Time
02h 28m

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 02h 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rock Grove
Sat, Apr 11, 9:06 PM CDT
Return by in Waukegan
Sat, Apr 11, 11:35 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waukegan
2026-04-11T18:37
Arrive Rock Grove
Sat, Apr 11, 9:06 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:29 AM to 12:29 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:32 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waukegan
9:30 PM CDT
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
Lawrence
IL

Township in Lawrence County, Illinois

From Waukegan
55.7 mi
01h 14m
To Rock Grove
55.9 mi
01h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph ESE
Destination
58°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Rock Grove.

  1. 1

    Start on North Jackson Street

    1375 ft · 45 sec · North Jackson Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Grand Avenue

    2.8 mi · 6 min · Grand Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward US 41 North: Milwaukee

    152 m · 14 sec

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on US 41 North

    806 ft · 22 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Skokie Highway

    7.4 mi · 9 min · Skokie Highway

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Rosecrans Road

    13.9 mi · 21 min · Rosecrans Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Kenosha Road

    3.7 mi · 5 min · Kenosha Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Kenosha Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Kenosha Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  10. 10

    Take the exit straight

    16.5 mi · 18 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 43, CTH NN: Beloit, Milwaukee

    951 ft · 23 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 43: Milwaukee, Beloit

    2334 ft · 57 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    1297 ft · 32 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 43 South: Delavan, Beloit

    1293 ft · 32 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    26.6 mi · 29 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left

    1 mi · 2 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    2 mi · 2 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward US 51 north, IL 75: South Beloit

    1522 ft · 32 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Gardner Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Gardner Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto North 2nd Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · North 2nd Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Prairie Hill Road

    2 mi · 4 min · Prairie Hill Road

  22. 22

    Turn left

    2183 ft · 45 sec

  23. 23

    Turn right onto North Blackhawk Boulevard

    2.2 mi · 4 min · North Blackhawk Boulevard

  24. 24

    Continue on Freeport Road

    16.9 mi · 23 min · Freeport Road

  25. 25

    Continue on HWY 75

    1300 ft · 22 sec · HWY 75

  26. 26

    Continue on East South Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · East South Street

  27. 27

    Turn right onto North Davis Road

    693 ft · 14 sec · North Davis Road

  28. 28

    Continue on West Street

    1808 ft · 36 sec · West Street

  29. 29

    Continue on North Davis Road

    2.5 mi · 4 min · North Davis Road

  30. 30

    Turn left onto East Rock Grove Road

    4.8 mi · 7 min · East Rock Grove Road

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Rock Grove Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
31 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
27.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 43 South
29.9 mi · 27%
Main Street
17.9 mi · 16%
Freeport Road
16.9 mi · 15%
Rosecrans Road
13.9 mi · 12%
Skokie Highway
7.39 mi · 7%
East Rock Grove Road
4.76 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I 43 South

Merge slight left

26.6 mi · 00h 29m

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
02h 28m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.3 mi
85.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lawrence
01h 14m from Waukegan
Leave By
1:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Rock Grove.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Rock Grove?

The road trip is about 111.6 miles (179.6 km) and usually takes 02h 28m 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?

Lawrence is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55.7 miles from Waukegan and 55.9 miles from Rock Grove.

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

The direct path is about 85.3 miles (137.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.3 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.86 one way or $29.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Rock Grove.

Stop Ideas Near Lawrence

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

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

BUS

South Beloit, Illinois

29 mi away
15766 Manchester Road
BUS

Rockford, Illinois

34 mi away
7559 Walton St.
BUS

Janesville, Wisconsin

43 mi away
3120 North Pontiac Drive
RAIL

Sturtevant station

68 mi away
9900 East Exploration Court

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Rock Grove. Straight-line distance: 85.33 mi (137.32 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 Rock Grove

Unincorporated community in Illinois

Population1,296
Coordinates42.4630700, -89.5120600
Altitude288
CountryUnited States
Start: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
End: Rock Grove (-89.51206, 42.46307)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 180 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.94 gal
14.91 L · about $14.86
Round trip
$29.72
7.88 gal · 29.82 L
Estimated CO2
35 kg one way
Round trip: 70 kg / 154 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.86 $29.72
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.76 $33.51
Premium $4.65 $18.34 $36.67
Diesel $5.30 $20.90 $41.80

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Waukegan and Rock Grove. The current time is 18:37:29.

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.