How far is Wheaton, IL from Gurnee, IL?
The driving distance from Wheaton, IL to Gurnee, IL is about 48.4 miles (77.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.4 miles (58.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 21m 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 10m.
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.
Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wheaton and Gurnee.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wheaton and Gurnee.
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1
Start on West Wesley Street
102 m · 12 sec · West Wesley Street
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2
Turn right onto North Hale Street
124 m · 20 sec · North Hale Street
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3
Turn right onto West Seminary Avenue
1919 ft · 1 min · West Seminary Avenue
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4
Continue on College Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · College Avenue
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5
Continue on Pennsylvania Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Pennsylvania Avenue
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6
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.8 mi · 4 min · North Main Street
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7
Turn right onto North Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Avenue
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8
Turn left onto I 355 Toll North: Northwest Suburbs
2199 ft · 54 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
4 mi · 5 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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10
Merge slight left
5.6 mi · 7 min
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11
Keep slight left
4.9 mi · 7 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward East Palatine Road
2489 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Palatine Road
6 mi · 9 min · Palatine Road
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14
Continue on Willow Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Willow Road
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15
Turn sharp left onto I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
117 m · 11 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
2066 ft · 50 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
17.3 mi · 20 min · Tri-State Tollway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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19
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1194 ft · 27 sec · Belvidere Road
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20
Turn left onto South O'Plaine Road
1.6 km · 2 min · South O'Plaine Road
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21
Continue on North O'Plaine Road
1 km · 2 min · North O'Plaine Road
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22
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Grand Avenue
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23
Turn right onto North Greenleaf Street
28 m · 4 sec · North Greenleaf Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Greenleaf Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wheaton and Gurnee.
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.
Rain Showers leaving Wheaton and Rain Showers near Gurnee.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wheaton to Gurnee?
The road trip is about 48.4 miles (77.9 km) and usually takes 01h 10m 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 24.2 miles from Wheaton and 24.2 miles from Gurnee.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.4 miles (58.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 12 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 4:08 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.98 one way or $15.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Wheaton and Rain Showers near Gurnee.
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 Wheaton and Gurnee. Straight-line distance: 36.38 mi (58.55 km).
#1 Wheaton
The most populous city in DuPage County, Illinois.
| Population | 52,451 |
| Coordinates | 41.8661400, -88.1070100 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gurnee
Village in Illinois
| Population | 30,168 |
| Coordinates | 42.3703000, -87.9020200 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gurnee (-87.90202, 42.3703)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $7.98 | $15.95 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $9.05 | $18.10 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $9.98 | $19.96 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $11.24 | $22.47 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026