Which airport should I fly into for Waukegan?

For long-haul and international flights, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the main gateway near Waukegan. The closest airport, Waukegan Regional Airport (UGN), is the most convenient for transfers — weigh proximity against the breadth of flight connections.

How far is the airport from Waukegan?

The nearest is about 4 mi (7 km) away. The table above shows the distance and an estimated transfer time for each airport within about 300 km.

How do I get from the airport into Waukegan?

Most airports offer taxis and ride-hailing, and many add a rail, metro or bus link into the city. Tap any airport above for a full guide with ground-transport options, lounges and transit details.

Airports Near Waukegan

The closest airports to Waukegan, Illinois: IATA codes, names and distances, each with a full airport guide covering terminals, lounges and transit.

The nearest airport to Waukegan, Illinois is Waukegan Regional Airport (UGN), about 4 mi (7 km) away — roughly 15 min by road. For long-haul flights, the main international gateway is Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).

Code	Airport	Distance	Transfer	Type
UGN	Waukegan Regional AirportChicago/Waukegan, United States	4 mi / 7 km	15 min	Regional
ENW	Kenosha Regional AirportKenosha, United States	17 mi / 27 km	32 min	Regional
PWK	Chicago Executive AirportChicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, United States	17 mi / 28 km	34 min	Regional
ORD	Chicago O'Hare International AirportChicago, United States	27 mi / 43 km	52 min	International
RAC	John H Batten AirportRacine, United States	27 mi / 44 km	53 min	Regional
DPA	Dupage AirportChicago/West Chicago, United States	38 mi / 61 km	1 hr 8 min	Regional
MDW	Chicago Midway International AirportChicago, United States	40 mi / 65 km	1 hr 12 min	International
MKE	General Mitchell International AirportMilwaukee, United States	40 mi / 65 km	1 hr 12 min	International

Distances are straight-line; transfer times are road estimates. "Type" flags major/international gateways.

Which airport is best?

For the shortest transfer, Waukegan Regional Airport (UGN) is the most convenient at about 4 mi out. If you're flying internationally or want the widest choice of routes, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) (27 mi) is the bigger gateway — worth the extra distance for long-haul or cheaper fares.

Getting to and from the airport

Taxis and ride-hailing serve every airport here, and the larger ones usually add a rail, metro or bus link into Waukegan. Allow extra time in peak traffic. For exact routes, times and fares, open the airport guide — start with UGN.

Hotels near the airport

For early departures or late arrivals, a hotel near UGN saves a stressful morning transfer.

Search hotels near UGN All hotels near Waukegan

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Other cities these airports serve

Travel tips

Compare the total door-to-door time, not just the airfare — a cheaper flight into a distant airport can cost more once you add the transfer. Check whether your airport has a direct train or metro before defaulting to a taxi, and for international arrivals, confirm any visa or transit rules in advance.

Frequently asked questions

The nearest airport to Waukegan is Waukegan Regional Airport (UGN), about 4 mi (7 km) away — roughly 15 min by road.