How far is Wilmette, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Wilmette, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 25.2 miles (40.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.1 miles (33.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 35m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in West Deerfield and Vernon townships of Lake County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wilmette and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmette and Waukegan.
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1
Start on Wilmette Avenue
2710 ft · 1 min · Wilmette Avenue
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2
Keep slight left to continue on Glenview Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Glenview Road
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3
Turn right onto Skokie Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Skokie Boulevard
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4
Take the ramp straight toward I 94 West
1251 ft · 31 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Edens Expressway
4 mi · 5 min · Edens Expressway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · 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 South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
1323 ft · 36 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1830 ft · 33 sec · Belvidere Road
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11
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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12
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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13
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilmette 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.
South Skokie Highway
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.22 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Clear leaving Wilmette and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilmette to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 25.2 miles (40.6 km) and usually takes 00h 35m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bannockburn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.7 miles from Wilmette and 12.6 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.1 miles (33.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.36 one way or $6.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Wilmette and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Bannockburn
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 Bannockburn.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilmette and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 21.08 mi (33.92 km).
#1 Wilmette
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 26,819 |
| Coordinates | 42.0722500, -87.7228400 |
| Altitude | 194 |
| 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: 41 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.36 | $6.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.79 | $7.57 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.14 | $8.28 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.72 | $9.44 |
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 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.