How far is West Chicago, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from West Chicago, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 62.7 miles (100.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 37.8 miles (60.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 31m 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 15m.
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.
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Chicago and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Chicago and Waukegan.
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1
Start on the route
12 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn right
15 m · 6 sec
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3
Turn right onto East Washington Street
1.4 km · 2 min · East Washington Street
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4
Continue on Geneva Road
4.2 mi · 8 min · Geneva Road
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5
Turn left onto South Schmale Road
1 mi · 2 min · South Schmale Road
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6
Turn right onto East North Avenue
3.3 mi · 6 min · East North Avenue
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7
Turn left onto I 355 Toll North: Northwest Suburbs
2199 ft · 54 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
4 mi · 5 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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9
Merge slight left
5.6 mi · 7 min
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10
Keep slight left
4.9 mi · 7 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward East Palatine Road
2489 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Palatine Road
6 mi · 9 min · Palatine Road
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13
Continue on Willow Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Willow Road
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14
Turn sharp left onto I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
117 m · 11 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
2066 ft · 50 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
17.3 mi · 20 min · Tri-State Tollway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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18
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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19
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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20
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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21
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Chicago and Waukegan.
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
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
17.3 mi · 00h 20m
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.
Sunny leaving West Chicago and Sunny near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Chicago to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 62.7 miles (100.9 km) and usually takes 01h 15m 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?
Prospect Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.1 miles from West Chicago and 35.6 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 37.8 miles (60.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.9 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 3:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.33 one way or $16.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Chicago and Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Prospect Heights
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 Prospect Heights.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Chicago and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 37.86 mi (60.93 km).
#1 West Chicago
City in DuPage County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 26,593 |
| Coordinates | 41.8847500, -88.2039600 |
| Altitude | 239 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Waukegan
The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.
| Population | 85,453 |
| Coordinates | 42.3636300, -87.8447900 |
| Altitude | 199 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Jackson Street (-87.844706, 42.363629)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 101 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $8.33 | $16.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $9.40 | $18.80 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $10.29 | $20.57 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $11.72 | $23.44 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.