Iowa City to Waukegan: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Iowa City from Waukegan?

The distance from Iowa City to Waukegan is 195.3 miles (314.3 km) as the crow flies. Waukegan is located ENE of Iowa City. By car, the driving distance is approximately 244.1 miles, taking about 4h 55min. A direct flight would take roughly 54min. Both are located in United States — Iowa City in Iowa and Waukegan in Illinois.

For a drive of this length, it's recommended to plan at least one quick rest stop to stretch your legs and grab a coffee. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. Given the short distance, driving or taking a train is often faster and more convenient than dealing with airport security and flight boarding times.

Coordinates come from public place data for Iowa City 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.