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Location and Transportation

Waukegan is conveniently centered between the two metropolises of Chicago and Milwaukee along the western shores of Lake Michigan. Located 40 miles north of Chicago and 60 miles south of Milwaukee, the City of Waukegan is the seat of Lake County government. This makes it a perfect place to establish new businesses, work toward the future and raise a family.

Waukegan can be reached from Chicago or Milwaukee in less than an hour. The city is easily accessible from north or south by I-94 (the Tri-State Tollway), as well as U.S. Rt. 41 and Illinois Rt. 131 (Green Bay Road) on the western edge of town. Illinois Rt. 120, Illinois Rt. 132 and Washington Street offer easy local travel while connecting Waukegan to its western neighbors. Waukegan’s Amstutz Highway on the eastern edge of the city also allows for pleasant journeys to the north and south. Waukegan’s local neighbors include the City of Zion to the north, the City of North Chicago to the south and the Village of Gurnee to the west, as well as Libertyville, Green Oaks and Beach Park.

Commuters and rail passengers will find travel to and from the city is easy and convenient. Waukegan’s Metra train service operates hourly commuter service on weekdays along the North Shore and into Chicago via the Chicago & Northwestern rail line. Passengers from Waukegan can reach Chicago in a little over an hour. Metra also operates the Union Pacific/North Line that provides direct connections to Kenosha, Wisconsin. Heavy freight hauling along the region’s extensive rail network is handled by the Union Pacific, Chicago & Northwestern, Milwaukee, Soo Lines and the Elgin, Joliet & Elgin (EJ&E) railroads.

Public transportation within the city and the surrounding areas is extensive. Waukegan’s PACE Bus Service provides award-winning service around town and to local neighbors. PACE buses are also equipped with lift service for the handicapped and many have bicycle racks. Long-distance voyagers can take to the open road via Greyhound Bus Lines. The national carrier has two daily stops in Waukegan for freight and passengers both northbound and southbound. Chicagoland taxi and limousine services are also available in Waukegan.

Air travel to the region is simple and efficient. Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is only 40 minutes away, while Milwaukee’s General Mitchell Field is 45 minutes from town.

Sixty-five local and long-distance trucking and terminal operations also serve Waukegan and greater Lake County, which lies within the Chicago commercial zone.

With its extensive connections along a superb transportation network, Waukegan is in a prime location for continued economic success.