How far is Waukegan, IL from South Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to South Elgin, IL is about 44.2 miles (71.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34.3 miles (55.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 28m 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 01h 14m.
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.
Lake in Marquette County, Michigan, United States of America
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 South Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and South Elgin.
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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
6.3 mi · 9 min · Belvidere Road
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5
Continue on East Belvidere Road
1 mi · 2 min · East Belvidere Road
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6
Turn left onto South Atkinson Road
2824 ft · 58 sec · South Atkinson Road
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7
Continue on Ivanhoe Road
3.7 mi · 6 min · Ivanhoe Road
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8
Continue on Schank Avenue
797 ft · 24 sec · Schank Avenue
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9
Turn right
5.4 mi · 9 min
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10
Turn left onto Barrington Road
2852 ft · 1 min · Barrington Road
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11
Continue straight
7.8 mi · 13 min
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12
Turn slight right
87 m · 5 sec
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13
Continue on New Sutton Road
9 mi · 14 min · New Sutton Road
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14
Continue on Sutton Road
2.6 mi · 4 min · Sutton Road
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15
Turn right onto West Bartlett Road
3.1 mi · 6 min · West Bartlett Road
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16
Continue on Middle Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · Middle Street
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Gilbert Street
104 m · 12 sec · South Gilbert Street
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18
Turn left onto East State Street
608 ft · 18 sec · East State Street
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19
Turn left onto South Center Street
12 m · 2 sec · South Center Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Center Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and South Elgin.
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.
New Sutton Road
Continue on New Sutton Road
8.98 mi · 00h 14m
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 South Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to South Elgin?
The road trip is about 44.2 miles (71.1 km) and usually takes 01h 14m 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?
Tower Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.1 miles from Waukegan and 22.1 miles from South Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 34.3 miles (55.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.9 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 4:02 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.88 one way or $11.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near South Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Tower Lake
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 Tower Lake.
Glenview station
Naperville
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and South Elgin. Straight-line distance: 34.3 mi (55.2 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 South Elgin
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 24,646 |
| Coordinates | 41.9941900, -88.2923000 |
| Altitude | 216 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Elgin (-88.2923, 41.99419)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 71 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.88 | $11.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.63 | $13.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.26 | $14.52 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.27 | $16.55 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.