Des Moines to Waukegan: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Waukegan?

The distance from Des Moines to Waukegan is 301.7 miles (485.5 km) as the crow flies. Waukegan is located ENE of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 377.1 miles, taking about 7h 35min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 6min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Waukegan in Illinois.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility.

Coordinates come from public place data for Des Moines and Waukegan. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.