How far is Waukegan, IL from Saint Jacob, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Saint Jacob, IL is about 309.3 miles (497.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 271.6 miles (437.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 54m 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 05h 57m.
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.
Township in McLean County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Saint Jacob.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Saint Jacob.
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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
119.4 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
59 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 4: Staunton, Lebanon
1411 ft · 32 sec
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16
Turn left
14.8 mi · 22 min
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17
Turn left
742 ft · 27 sec
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18
Continue straight
599 ft · 28 sec
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19
Turn left onto US Highway 40
1.7 mi · 2 min · US Highway 40
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20
Turn right onto North Douglas Street
2337 ft · 1 min · North Douglas Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Douglas Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Saint Jacob.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119 mi · 02h 13m
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 Sunny near Saint Jacob.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Saint Jacob?
The road trip is about 309.3 miles (497.8 km) and usually takes 05h 57m 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?
Towanda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.7 miles from Waukegan and 154.6 miles from Saint Jacob.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 271.6 miles (437.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.7 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 5:06 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.18 one way or $82.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Sunny near Saint Jacob.
Stop Ideas Near Towanda
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Towanda.
Uptown Station
Pontiac station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Saint Jacob. Straight-line distance: 271.62 mi (437.13 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 Saint Jacob
Human settlement in Madison County, Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,408 |
| Coordinates | 38.7139400, -89.7681500 |
| Altitude | 157 |
| Country | United States |
End: Saint Jacob (-89.76815, 38.71394)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 498 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.18 | $82.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.44 | $92.89 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.82 | $101.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.92 | $115.84 |
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.