How far is Waukegan, IL from Rolling Meadows, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Rolling Meadows, IL is about 32.2 miles (51.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.1 miles (34 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 36m 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 00h 48m.
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 West Deerfield and Vernon townships of Lake County, Illinois, United States
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 Rolling Meadows.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Rolling Meadows.
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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
3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Willow Road
1072 ft · 26 sec
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9
Keep slight right
1015 ft · 25 sec
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10
Turn right onto Willow Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Willow Road
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11
Continue on Palatine Road
5.8 mi · 9 min · Palatine Road
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12
Turn left onto North Kennicott Avenue
85 m · 14 sec · North Kennicott Avenue
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13
Turn right onto Frontage Road
1358 ft · 39 sec · Frontage Road
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14
Continue on North Wilke Road
2 mi · 5 min · North Wilke Road
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15
Turn right onto Campbell Street
2610 ft · 2 min · Campbell Street
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16
Turn right onto Bluebird Lane
77 m · 11 sec · Bluebird Lane
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Bluebird Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Rolling Meadows.
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.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
13.9 mi · 00h 16m
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 Rolling Meadows.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Rolling Meadows?
The road trip is about 32.2 miles (51.9 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?
Bannockburn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.2 miles from Waukegan and 16.2 miles from Rolling Meadows.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.1 miles (34 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.1 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 4:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.30 one way or $8.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Rolling Meadows.
Stop Ideas Near Bannockburn
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 Bannockburn.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Rolling Meadows. Straight-line distance: 21.14 mi (34.02 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 Rolling Meadows
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 23,246 |
| Coordinates | 42.0841900, -88.0131300 |
| Altitude | 219 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rolling Meadows (-88.01313, 42.08419)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 52 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.30 | $8.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.85 | $9.70 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.31 | $10.61 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.05 | $12.09 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.