How far is Winnetka, IL from Gurnee, IL?
The driving distance from Winnetka, IL to Gurnee, IL is about 21.8 miles (35.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20 miles (32.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 01m 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 30m.
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.
City in Lake County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Winnetka and Gurnee.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winnetka and Gurnee.
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1
Start on Pine Street
19 m · 11 sec · Pine Street
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2
Turn sharp left onto Green Bay Road
3147 ft · 1 min · Green Bay Road
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3
Continue on Tower Road
1.8 mi · 5 min · Tower Road
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4
Take the ramp right toward I 94 West, US 41 North
1028 ft · 25 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Edens Expressway
1.6 mi · 2 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
9.8 mi · 12 min · South Skokie Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 132: Grand Avenue, Grandville Avenue
922 ft · 25 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on IL 132: Great America
84 m · 10 sec
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11
Turn slight left onto Grand Avenue
1629 ft · 35 sec · Grand Avenue
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12
Turn left onto North Greenleaf Street
28 m · 4 sec · North Greenleaf Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Greenleaf Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Winnetka 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.
South Skokie Highway
Continue on South Skokie Highway
9.81 mi · 00h 12m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Winnetka 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 Winnetka to Gurnee?
The road trip is about 21.8 miles (35.1 km) and usually takes 00h 30m 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?
Lake Forest is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.9 miles from Winnetka and 10.9 miles from Gurnee.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20 miles (32.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.8 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 7:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.59 one way or $7.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Winnetka and Rain Showers near Gurnee.
Stop Ideas Near Lake Forest
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 Lake Forest.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Sturtevant station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Winnetka and Gurnee. Straight-line distance: 20.01 mi (32.21 km).
#1 Winnetka
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 12,194 |
| Coordinates | 42.1080800, -87.7359000 |
| Altitude | 199 |
| 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: 35 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $3.59 | $7.18 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $4.07 | $8.15 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $4.49 | $8.99 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $5.06 | $10.12 |
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