How far is Waukegan, IL from St. Charles, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to St. Charles, IL is about 49.8 miles (80.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 39.1 miles (62.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 45m 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 22m.
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.
Village in the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and St. Charles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and St. Charles.
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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
Continue on Ingalton Avenue
2934 ft · 55 sec · Ingalton Avenue
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16
Continue on Illinois Route 59
1.3 km · 1 min · Illinois Route 59
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17
Turn right onto West Stearns Road
4.7 mi · 8 min · West Stearns Road
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18
Continue straight
4.1 mi · 7 min
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 5th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and St. Charles.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Waukegan and Partly Cloudy near St. Charles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to St. Charles?
The road trip is about 49.8 miles (80.1 km) and usually takes 01h 22m 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?
North Barrington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.9 miles from Waukegan and 24.9 miles from St. Charles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 39.1 miles (62.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:44 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.64 one way or $13.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Waukegan and Partly Cloudy near St. Charles.
Stop Ideas Near North Barrington
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 North Barrington.
Glenview station
Naperville
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and St. Charles. Straight-line distance: 39.1 mi (62.93 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 St. Charles
Chicago suburb in Kane and DuPage counties of Illinois, United States
| Population | 32,974 |
| Coordinates | 41.9141900, -88.3086900 |
| Altitude | 223 |
| Country | United States |
End: St. Charles (-88.30869, 41.91419)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 80 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.64 | $13.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.49 | $14.97 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $8.19 | $16.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $9.34 | $18.67 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.