How far is Waukegan, IL from Smithton, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Smithton, IL is about 332.6 miles (535.2 km), with a travel time of about 06h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 295.6 miles (475.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 51m 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.
The second most populous city in McLean County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Cloudy
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Smithton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Smithton.
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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
77.9 mi · 1 hr 24 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
1434 ft · 48 sec
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16
Continue on Vandalia Street
3 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street
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17
Continue on South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue
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18
Continue on North Illinois Street
9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Illinois Street
55 m · 5 sec · South Illinois Street
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20
Exit the rotary onto South Illinois Street
7.4 mi · 11 min · South Illinois Street
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21
Turn left onto Breckenridge Street
11 m · 2 sec · Breckenridge Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Breckenridge Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Smithton.
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.
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.
Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Cloudy leaving Waukegan and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Smithton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Smithton?
The road trip is about 332.6 miles (535.2 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?
Bloomington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 166.3 miles from Waukegan and 166.2 miles from Smithton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 295.6 miles (475.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 37 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 $44.23 one way or $88.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 104.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Cloudy around Waukegan and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Smithton.
Stop Ideas Near Bloomington
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 Bloomington.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Pontiac station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Smithton. Straight-line distance: 295.68 mi (475.85 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 Smithton
Borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| Population | 3,812 |
| Coordinates | 38.4086600, -89.9920500 |
| Altitude | 145 |
| Country | United States |
End: Smithton (-89.99205, 38.40866)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 535 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $44.23 | $88.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $49.89 | $99.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $54.59 | $109.18 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $62.22 | $124.43 |
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 · May 24, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.