How far is Waukegan, IL from Shields, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Shields, IL is about 305.3 miles (491.3 km), with a travel time of about 06h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 273 miles (439.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 25m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Shields.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Shields.
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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
1368 ft · 34 sec · Belvidere Street
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4
Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue
2.9 mi · 5 min · South Lewis Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Buckley Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Buckley Road
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6
Turn left onto North Skokie Highway
5.6 mi · 7 min · North Skokie Highway
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7
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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8
Continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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9
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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10
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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11
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
195.9 mi · 3 hr 35 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham
1753 ft · 35 sec
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15
Turn left
1.9 mi · 3 min
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16
Turn right onto East Fayette Avenue
1123 ft · 33 sec · East Fayette Avenue
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17
Turn left onto South Banker Street
14.9 mi · 22 min · South Banker Street
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18
Continue on County Road 925 East
16.2 mi · 24 min · County Road 925 East
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19
Turn slight right
39 m · 5 sec
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20
Merge slight left
7.5 mi · 9 min
-
21
Turn left onto Xenia Iola Road
1425 ft · 40 sec · Xenia Iola Road
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22
Continue on Church Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Church Street
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23
Continue on Front Street
635 ft · 23 sec · Front Street
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24
Turn left onto South Main Street
887 ft · 24 sec · South Main Street
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25
Keep slight left to continue on South Main Street
58 m · 5 sec · South Main Street
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26
Continue on Fairfield Street
999 ft · 27 sec · Fairfield Street
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27
Continue on Fairfield Road
1.6 mi · 4 min · Fairfield Road
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28
Continue on County Highway 13
1304 ft · 36 sec · County Highway 13
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29
Continue on County Road 300E
1.2 km · 2 min · County Road 300E
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30
Keep slight right to continue on County Highway 13
1.5 mi · 4 min · County Highway 13
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31
Continue on County Road 250E
4.8 mi · 11 min · County Road 250E
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32
Continue on County Highway 13
3.2 mi · 8 min · County Highway 13
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33
Turn right onto County Road 1420N
1.4 km · 2 min · County Road 1420N
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34
Continue on County Road 1430N
1125 ft · 31 sec · County Road 1430N
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35
Continue on County Highway 15
1794 ft · 49 sec · County Highway 15
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36
Continue on County Road 1450N
1.2 km · 2 min · County Road 1450N
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37
Continue on County Highway 15
2659 ft · 1 min · County Highway 15
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38
Continue on East Depeche Road
1.1 km · 2 min · East Depeche Road
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39
Turn slight right onto 2350 North
570 ft · 31 sec · 2350 North
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40
Turn left onto North Papertown Lane
14 m · 2 sec · North Papertown Lane
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41
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Papertown Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Shields.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 South
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
196 mi · 03h 35m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waukegan and Partly Cloudy near Shields.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Shields?
The road trip is about 305.3 miles (491.3 km) and usually takes 06h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Ludlow is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152.7 miles from Waukegan and 152.5 miles from Shields.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 273 miles (439.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.3 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.61 one way or $81.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukegan and Partly Cloudy near Shields.
Stop Ideas Near Ludlow
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 Ludlow.
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Gilman
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Shields. Straight-line distance: 273.02 mi (439.38 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 Shields
Township in Lake County, Illinois
| Population | 36,451 |
| Coordinates | 38.4678300, -88.7133900 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shields (-88.71339, 38.46783)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 491 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.61 | $81.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.80 | $91.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.12 | $100.25 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.12 | $114.25 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.