How far is Waukegan, IL from Willowbrook, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Willowbrook, IL is about 76.8 miles (123.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 64.6 miles (103.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 34m 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 47m.
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.
The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Willowbrook.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Willowbrook.
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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 left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway
10.8 mi · 15 min · Bishop Ford Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Calumet Expressway
2410 ft · 49 sec · Calumet Expressway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Calumet Expressway
9.7 mi · 13 min · Calumet Expressway
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16
Turn left onto East Exchange Street
2.9 mi · 4 min · East Exchange Street
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17
Turn left onto South State Line Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · South State Line Road
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18
Turn left onto Challas Drive
1665 ft · 1 min · Challas Drive
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19
At the end of the road, turn right onto Buried Oak Drive
1415 ft · 1 min · Buried Oak Drive
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20
Turn right onto Longwood Drive
100 m · 14 sec · Longwood Drive
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Longwood Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Willowbrook.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Edens Expressway
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 00h 17m
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 Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Willowbrook.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Willowbrook?
The road trip is about 76.8 miles (123.6 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?
Chicago is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.4 miles from Waukegan and 38.4 miles from Willowbrook.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 64.6 miles (103.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.2 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 2:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.22 one way or $20.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Waukegan and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Willowbrook.
Stop Ideas Near Chicago
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 Chicago.
Chicago Union Station
Summit
La Grange Road
Hammond–Whiting station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Willowbrook. Straight-line distance: 64.56 mi (103.9 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 Willowbrook
Town in Will County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,076 |
| Coordinates | 41.4578100, -87.5364300 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
End: Willowbrook (-87.53643, 41.45781)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 124 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $10.22 | $20.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $11.53 | $23.05 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $12.61 | $25.22 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $14.37 | $28.75 |
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.