Drive or Fly: Alton, IL to Waukegan, IL?
Side-by-side comparison of driving versus flying for this route. Costs, time, and trade-offs at a glance.
Driving wins
MediumNo scheduled commercial flights found for STL–ORD. At 316 miles, driving is the only practical option.
Drive
Door to Door
6h 8m
Distance
316 mi
Total Cost
$105
CO2
128 kg
Cost Breakdown
Fly
Door to Door
3h 33m
32m in the air
Air Distance
269 mi
Total Cost
$186
CO2
69 kg
Door-to-Door Timeline
Cost Breakdown
Airports
No scheduled flights found
No commercial flights between STL and ORD. Flight estimates above are theoretical.
At a Glance
| Drive | Fly | |
|---|---|---|
| Door-to-door time | 6h 8m | 3h 33m |
| Total cost (1 person) | $105 | $186 |
| Carbon footprint | 128 kg CO2 | 69 kg CO2 |
| Flexibility | High | Low |
| Luggage | Unlimited | Restricted |
| Reliability | Weather dependent | Data unavailable |
Costs are estimates. Actual flight prices vary by airline, date, and booking time. Drive costs based on OSRM routing, EIA fuel prices. Computed Apr 12, 2026.
Decided to drive? See the full trip plan from Alton, IL to Waukegan, IL with stops, fuel costs, and turn-by-turn directions.