How far is Madison, IL from Waukegan, IL?
The driving distance from Madison, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 325.1 miles (523.2 km), with a travel time of about 06h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 281.8 miles (453.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 06h 10m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Town in McLean County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madison and Waukegan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison and Waukegan.
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1
Start on 6th Street
44 m · 12 sec · 6th Street
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2
Turn left onto Madison Avenue
1451 ft · 35 sec · Madison Avenue
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3
Turn left onto 2nd Street
3058 ft · 1 min · 2nd Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn right
2.1 mi · 3 min
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5
Turn straight
2445 ft · 41 sec
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6
Take the ramp slight right
1337 ft · 33 sec
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7
Merge slight left
14.7 mi · 17 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
107.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
120.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
1923 ft · 47 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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17
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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18
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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19
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison and Waukegan.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 55 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
121 mi · 02h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Partly Sunny leaving Madison and Partly Sunny near Waukegan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madison to Waukegan?
The road trip is about 325.1 miles (523.2 km) and usually takes 06h 10m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Normal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 162.6 miles from Madison and 162.5 miles from Waukegan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 281.8 miles (453.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.3 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.25 one way or $86.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Madison and Partly Sunny near Waukegan.
Stop Ideas Near Normal
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Normal.
Uptown Station
Pontiac station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 281.82 mi (453.54 km).
#1 Madison
City in Madison County, Florida, United States
| Population | 3,735 |
| Coordinates | 38.6825500, -90.1570500 |
| Altitude | 126 |
| 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: Waukegan (-87.84479, 42.36363)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 523 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $43.25 | $86.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.78 | $97.56 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $53.38 | $106.76 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $60.84 | $121.67 |
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 21, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.