How far is Waukegan, IL from Watseka, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Watseka, IL is about 128.5 miles (206.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 109.8 miles (176.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 42m 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 02h 51m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Watseka.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Watseka.
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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
46.4 mi · 55 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 17: Kankakee, Momence
1374 ft · 36 sec
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15
Turn straight onto East Court Street
5.9 mi · 9 min · East Court Street
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16
Continue on South State Route 1
6.7 mi · 10 min · South State Route 1
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17
Continue on North Dixie Highway
1808 ft · 33 sec · North Dixie Highway
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18
Turn right onto E 7000S Road
2797 ft · 47 sec · E 7000S Road
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19
Continue on S 7000E Road
1.4 km · 1 min · S 7000E Road
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20
Continue on North 2100 E Road
14.8 mi · 22 min · North 2100 E Road
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21
Continue on North 2100 East Road
1 mi · 2 min · North 2100 East Road
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22
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Walnut Street
3119 ft · 2 min · West Walnut Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Walnut Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Watseka.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 57 South
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
46.4 mi · 00h 55m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Watseka.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Watseka?
The road trip is about 128.5 miles (206.8 km) and usually takes 02h 51m 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?
Country Club Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.3 miles from Waukegan and 64.2 miles from Watseka.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 109.8 miles (176.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.7 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 12:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.12 one way or $34.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Watseka.
Stop Ideas Near Country Club Hills
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 Country Club Hills.
Homewood
Dyer station
Hammond–Whiting station
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Watseka. Straight-line distance: 109.83 mi (176.75 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 Watseka
City in and county seat of Iroquois County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 4,694 |
| Coordinates | 40.7761500, -87.7364200 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Watseka (-87.73642, 40.77615)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 207 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.12 | $34.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.31 | $38.62 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.13 | $42.26 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.08 | $48.16 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.