Cities Near Waukegan
Cities near Waukegan, Illinois: 10 notable destinations within day-trip and weekend range, including Kenosha, Palatine, Des Plaines. Compare distance, drive time and flight time, with day-trip and getaway ideas.
The closest notable city to Waukegan, Illinois is Kenosha, about 15 mi (25 km) away — roughly 30 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenosha | 15 mi / 25 km | 30 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Palatine | 20 mi / 32 km | 39 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Des Plaines | 23 mi / 37 km | 44 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Skokie | 24 mi / 38 km | 45 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Racine | 25 mi / 41 km | 49 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Logan Square | 31 mi / 50 km | 56 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Elgin | 32 mi / 51 km | 57 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Wheaton | 37 mi / 59 km | 1 hr 6 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Chicago Lawn | 41 mi / 67 km | 1 hr 14 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| West Allis | 46 mi / 74 km | 1 hr 22 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
Day trips from Waukegan
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Kenosha, Palatine, Des Plaines, Skokie, Racine. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Waukegan include Kenosha, Palatine, Des Plaines, Skokie, Racine. The closest is Kenosha, about 15 miles (25 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.