How far is Waukegan, IL from Wilmington, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to Wilmington, IL is about 90.2 miles (145.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 74.6 miles (120 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 53m 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 56m.
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 Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and Wilmington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and Wilmington.
-
1
Start on North Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · North Jackson Street
-
2
Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
-
4
Continue on Belvidere Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
1511 ft · 37 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
13.9 mi · 16 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
22.7 mi · 29 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
-
12
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
35.4 mi · 43 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward North River Road
1673 ft · 38 sec
-
14
Turn left onto County Highway 44
1704 ft · 31 sec · County Highway 44
-
15
Continue on North River Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · North River Road
-
16
Continue on New River Road
2.3 mi · 3 min · New River Road
-
17
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Chicago Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Chicago Road
-
18
Continue on East Baltimore Street
2781 ft · 1 min · East Baltimore Street
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Baltimore Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and Wilmington.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
35.4 mi · 00h 43m
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 Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waukegan and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Wilmington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to Wilmington?
The road trip is about 90.2 miles (145.2 km) and usually takes 01h 56m 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?
Western Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 45.1 miles from Waukegan and 45.1 miles from Wilmington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 74.6 miles (120 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.6 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 2:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.99 one way or $23.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukegan and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Wilmington.
Stop Ideas Near Western Springs
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 Western Springs.
La Grange Road
Summit
Naperville
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and Wilmington. Straight-line distance: 74.59 mi (120.04 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 Wilmington
Town in Will County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 5,597 |
| Coordinates | 41.3078100, -88.1467200 |
| Altitude | 166 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wilmington (-88.14672, 41.30781)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 145 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.99 | $23.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.52 | $27.05 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.80 | $29.60 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.87 | $33.73 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.