How far is Waukegan, IL from Westchester, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Westchester, IL is about 44.7 miles (71.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 35.5 miles (57.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 00m 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 00m.
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.
Township in Iroquois County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Westchester.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Westchester.
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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
2452 ft · 30 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right
143 m · 12 sec
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10
Merge slight right onto Tri-State Tollway
620 ft · 35 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Cermak Road
901 ft · 22 sec
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12
Keep slight right
133 m · 10 sec
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13
Continue on West Cermak Road
2 mi · 3 min · West Cermak Road
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14
Turn left onto South Mannheim Road
688 ft · 28 sec · South Mannheim Road
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15
Turn left onto Dorchester Street
27 m · 9 sec · Dorchester Street
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16
Turn right
22 m · 5 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Westchester.
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.
Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
22.7 mi · 00h 29m
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 Westchester.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Westchester?
The road trip is about 44.7 miles (71.9 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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?
Ridgeland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.3 miles from Waukegan and 22.3 miles from Westchester.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 35.5 miles (57.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.92 one way or $11.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Mostly Sunny near Westchester.
Stop Ideas Near Ridgeland
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 Ridgeland.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Westchester. Straight-line distance: 35.5 mi (57.13 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 Westchester
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 15,911 |
| Coordinates | 41.8505900, -87.8820000 |
| Altitude | 194 |
| Country | United States |
End: Westchester (-87.882, 41.85059)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 72 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 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 | $5.92 | $11.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.68 | $13.35 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.31 | $14.61 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.33 | $16.65 |
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.