How far is Waukegan, IL from Vernon Hills, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Vernon Hills, IL is about 16.3 miles (26.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.1 miles (19.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 30m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Lake County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Vernon Hills.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Vernon Hills.
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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
3.1 mi · 5 min · Belvidere Road
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5
Turn slight right
1909 ft · 58 sec
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6
Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue
4.6 mi · 7 min · North Milwaukee Avenue
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7
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Park Avenue
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8
Turn left onto South Butterfield Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · South Butterfield Road
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9
Turn right onto South Butterfield Road
1.9 mi · 4 min · South Butterfield Road
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10
At the end of the road, turn right
683 ft · 21 sec
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11
Turn left onto Oakwood Road
1 km · 3 min · Oakwood Road
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Oakwood Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Vernon Hills.
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.
North Milwaukee Avenue
Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue
4.56 mi · 00h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Vernon Hills.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Vernon Hills?
The road trip is about 16.3 miles (26.2 km) and usually takes 00h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Libertyville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.1 miles from Waukegan and 8.1 miles from Vernon Hills.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.1 miles (19.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.19 one way or $4.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Vernon Hills.
Stop Ideas Near Libertyville
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 Libertyville.
Glenview station
Sturtevant station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Vernon Hills. Straight-line distance: 12.11 mi (19.49 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 Vernon Hills
City in United States of America
| Population | 26,425 |
| Coordinates | 42.2194700, -87.9795200 |
| Altitude | 224 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vernon Hills (-87.97952, 42.21947)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 26 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.19 | $4.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.47 | $4.93 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.70 | $5.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.08 | $6.15 |
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.