Waukegan, IL Road Trips
With 43 routes heading out and 2 heading in, Waukegan, IL works well as a modest departure point in the Midwest. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 129-mile quick runs to 405-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Waukegan, IL head south, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
45
Longest Drive
411.7 mi
Cairo, IL
Quickest Drive
2h 37m
Peru, IL
Plan Around Waukegan, IL
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Waukegan, IL is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Waukegan, IL
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Waukegan, IL
Waukegan, IL to Unity, IL
Waukegan, IL to Anna, IL
Waukegan, IL to Eagle, IL
Waukegan, IL to Saline, IL
Waukegan, IL to Preston, IL
Waukegan, IL to Newport, IL
Waukegan, IL to East Saint Louis, IL
Waukegan, IL to Mascoutah, IL
Waukegan, IL to Madison, IL
Waukegan, IL to Fairmont City, IL
Waukegan, IL to Godfrey, IL
Waukegan, IL to Pittsfield, IL
Waukegan, IL to Hillsboro, IL
Waukegan, IL to Flora, IL
Waukegan, IL to South Jacksonville, IL
Waukegan, IL to Effingham, IL
Waukegan, IL to Shelbyville, IL
Waukegan, IL to Edinburg, IL
Driving from Waukegan, IL
On average, trips departing from Waukegan, IL run 250 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 53m. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 405 miles (7h 56m), while the shortest is just 129 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Waukegan, IL most often head toward Unity, IL (405.4 mi, 7h 47m), Anna, IL (385.3 mi, 7h 15m), Eagle, IL (383.3 mi, 7h 56m), Saline, IL (375.6 mi, 7h 26m), and Preston, IL (361.1 mi, 7h 14m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in IL currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 250-mile trip from Waukegan, IL, budget about $37 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
The majority of destinations are to the south. Morning starts help you avoid the midday heat on longer drives. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 43 mapped routes leaving Waukegan, IL and 2 routes heading into Waukegan, IL, covering 45 total connections. Distances range from 129 to 405 miles.
The longest mapped route from Waukegan, IL covers 405 miles and takes approximately 7h 56m. Shorter options start at just 129 miles.
The average route from Waukegan, IL runs about 250 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 53m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 250-mile trip from Waukegan, IL costs roughly $37 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Waukegan, IL include Unity, IL, Anna, IL, Eagle, IL and Saline, IL. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Waukegan, IL by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
88,919
Median Income
$70,578
Median Home Value
$177,600
Median Age
34.6
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Waukegan, IL at a Glance
Founded
1859
Elevation
653 ft
Area
24 mi²
Notable People from Waukegan, IL
A sampling of people born in Waukegan, IL.
Ray Bradbury
1920–2012
American author and screenwriter (1920–2012)
Kim Stanley Robinson
1952
American science fiction writer (born 1952)
Shawn Marion
1978
American basketball player
Diane Ackerman
1948
author, poet, and naturalist
Neil Flynn
1960
American actor and comedian (born 1960)
Brian Van Holt
1969
American actor
Steve DiGiorgio
1967
American Bassist
Mickey Kuhn
1932–2022
American actor (1932–2022)
David Clennon
1943
American actor
Landmarks & Historic Sites
Attractions and heritage-registered places located in Waukegan, IL.
Waukegan Public Library
library
Waukegan Building
office building in Waukegan, Illinois, United States
Hotel Waukegan
historic hotel in Waukegan, Illinois, USA
Near North Historic District
historic district in Waukegan, Illinois
City data from Wikidata (Q578289), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Waukegan, IL
Waukegan is in the Far North Suburbs of the Chicagoland region of Illinois. It sits on Lake Michigan, has a large harbor, and is the county seat of Lake County, Illinois.
Waukegan City Beach and Light, 540 Sea Horse Dr. The city beach and lighthouse where you can relax during favorable weather and enjoy the lake.
Waukegan Harbor, 55 Harbor Pl. (updated Apr 2019) Waukegan Yacht Club, 199 Harbor Pl. (updated Apr 2019) Xtasea IV Fishing Charters, Harbor & Marina, 199 N Harbor Pl, ☏ +1 630-774-3254. American Place Casino, 4011 Fountain Square Pl, ☏ +1 773-477-9515. With a buffet, sports book, and gaming tables. People's Choice Family Fun Center, 2650 Belvidere Road. SplashZone at Corrine J. Rose Park, 412 S Lewis Ave. Rather diminutive water park, but the price is right. Lake County Ice Sports and Fitness Center, 351 Oakwood Ave. Waukegan BMX Track, 2785 Yorkhouse Rd, ☏ +1 847 456-0810. 1 Genesee Theatre, 203 N Genesee St, ☏ +1 847 263-6300. The Genesee Theatre is Lake County's premier entertainment venue. Productions include comedy acts, musicals, classical movies, and concerts. It is in historic downtown Waukegan. Waukegan Visual Arts Center, 533 Grand Ave. 2 Jack Benny Center for the Arts, 39 Jack Benny Dr, ☏ +1 847 360-4740. Lake County's only opera company, costumed and fully staged. Featuring Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus. The Jack Benny Center for the Arts is in magnificent Bowen Park. The art center is named after Jack Benny, who had a comedy radio/television program in the mid-1900s and was from Waukegan. Waukegan Symphony Orchestra & Concert Chorus, 39 Jack Benny Dr. Bonnie Brook Country Club, 2800 N Lewis Ave, ☏ +1 847 360-4730. Greenshire Golf Course, 38727 N Lewis Ave. Midlane Golf Resort, 4555 Yorkhouse Rd. Glen Flora Country Club, 2200 N Sheridan Rd.
1 Quonset Pizza, 2602 Grand Ave, ☏ +1-847-623-7115. 11am-9pm weekdays, 10pm weekends. Tavern-style pizza and bar inside of a repurposed military quonset. (updated Apr 2022) Louie's Restaurant, 1009 North Ave. Potesta's Pizza & Pasta, 434 S Green Bay Rd. Test Kitchen BBQ, 3150 Belvidere Rd, ☏ +1 224-269-2227. Stuff like burnt ends and brisket.
Courtyard by Marriott, 3800 Northpoint Blvd. Sonesta ES Suites Chicago Waukegan Gurnee, 1440 S White Oak Dr, ☏ +1 847-689-9240. SpringHill Suites by Marriott, 4101 Fountain Square Pl. Holiday Inn Express Suites, 611 Lakehurst Rd.
Waukegan is located in close proximity to Interstate 94 and US Highway 41. Downtown Waukegan can be accessed from either using Grand Avenue or Washington Street. Metra lines serve Waukegan. The Union Pacific North Line runs between Kenosha and the Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago and serves Waukegan. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD IATA) is the closest international airport to Waukegan. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE IATA) is the next closest international airport to Waukegan. 1 Waukegan National Airport (UGN IATA). Used for private flights.
TAXI-2-GO, 2835 Belvidere Rd. +1 847 336-1204 Pace Suburban Bus System, +1 847 364-7223
Travel tips adapted from Waukegan on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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