How far is Waukegan, IL from Rome, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Rome, IL is about 179 miles (288 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 133.4 miles (214.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 32m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Rome.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Rome.
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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
22.7 mi · 29 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
25.9 mi · 32 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Iowa
1.3 km · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left
64.2 mi · 1 hr 9 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 180 South: Hennepin
1 mi · 2 min
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16
Continue straight
8.7 mi · 9 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Peoria
2.1 mi · 2 min
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18
Continue straight
27.4 mi · 32 min
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19
Continue on North State Route 29
83 m · 11 sec · North State Route 29
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North State Route 29
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Rome.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 80 West
Merge slight left
64.2 mi · 01h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Rome.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Rome?
The road trip is about 179 miles (288 km) and usually takes 03h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Morris is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.4 miles from Waukegan and 89.5 miles from Rome.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 133.4 miles (214.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.17 one way or $44.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Rome.
Stop Ideas Near Morris
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 Morris.
Dwight station
Joliet Transportation Center
Plano
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Rome. Straight-line distance: 133.4 mi (214.68 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 Rome
Unincorporated census-designated place in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,596 |
| Coordinates | 40.8830900, -89.5025900 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rome (-89.50259, 40.88309)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.17 | $44.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.01 | $50.02 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.37 | $54.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.19 | $62.38 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.