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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Road Genius makes it easy to find car rental offers in Waukegan, IL. Compare rates and book in one place. Simple. Pick up a car from Enterprise, Hertz or Avis downtown (or pre arrange at Waukegan National Airport) and you're set for quick drives to Six Flags, Lake Geneva or Chicago, often at lower prices than renting at O'Hare. Reserve early, especially for summer weekends, to lock in the best choice and rate.
Waukegan offers several rental options through city locations rather than a major commercial airport.
| Location Type | Available Options | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| City Locations |
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| Waukegan National Airport |
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From Chicago:
Local connections:
Summer months and weekends around Six Flags Great America (in nearby Gurnee) see higher demand
On average, car rentals in Waukegan cost around $76 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $24 per day.
Price‐check Waukegan vs. Chicago – base rates in Waukegan are usually 10-20 % lower than O'Hare or downtown. Even if you Uber up for about $60, multi-day rentals often come out ahead.
Cast a wider net – pop nearby branches (Gurnee, Libertyville, even Zion) into the search box and shift pickup to a Tuesday or Wednesday; a quick compare can shave 15-25 % off weekend-heavy quotes.
Peak Six Flags season = book 3-4 weeks out – June-August and Halloween weekends sell out fast. Lock something early for those dates, but feel free to play with car types or locations up to the free-cancellation window.
Weekly rates beat piecemeal – on many listings a 7-day booking costs the same as 5-6 days. If your trip is close, add an extra day and drop the car early.
Go small, save big – compact/economy cars handle Lake County streets, slide into Waukegan's free parking spots, and sip less gas on the 40-mile (64 km) run to Chicago.
Skip tolls, skip fees – use US-41 for Chicago runs and I-94 north into Wisconsin to avoid Illinois toll roads and the daily toll-device charge.
| Location | Usual Costs | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Waukegan | Free to low-cost hourly |
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| Metra Station | Low-cost daily |
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| Harbor Area | Free or low-cost daily |
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| Shopping Areas | Free |
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Get a car so you can visit:
Six Flags Great America, Gurnee – theme park
Illinois Beach State Park, Zion – Lake Michigan beaches, trails
Downtown Chicago – museums, Millennium Park
Gurnee Mills – outlet shopping
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin – lake cruises, golf
Milwaukee, Wisconsin – breweries, riverwalk
What's the best way to get from Chicago O'Hare to Waukegan to pick up a rental car?
For the most direct trip, you can take a rideshare service for about $50-70. The ride takes 35-45 minutes depending on traffic. Or, you can take the CTA Blue Line train from the O'Hare station to Clark/Lake in downtown Chicago, walk to Ogilvie Transportation Center and take the Metra UP-N line to Waukegan. This trip using public transit takes about 2-2.5 hours and costs a lot less. (There is no direct Pace bus from O'Hare to Waukegan.)
Is it cheaper to rent a car in Waukegan compared to Chicago?
Yes, it's usually cheaper. Rental companies in Waukegan often charge base rates that are 10-20% lower than places at Chicago airports or downtown. You'll also avoid Chicago's high rental taxes and airport fees. But remember to add the cost of getting to Waukegan if you are flying into a Chicago airport.
What type of vehicle is best for visiting Waukegan and surrounding areas?
Most visitors find a standard sedan or compact car works just fine. If you're traveling in winter (December-February), you might want a front-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle for better handling in snow. If you're a family visiting Six Flags Great America or planning beach trips, a midsize SUV will give you more room for people and gear.
Do I need to worry about toll roads around Waukegan?
Yes, I-94 and I-294 near Waukegan are toll roads, and they don't take cash. If you plan to use these highways, you can either sign up for the rental company's toll program or pay online. To pay online, you have to register your rental car's license plate on the Illinois Tollway website within 14 days of your trip.
Can I rent a car in Waukegan and return it at Chicago O'Hare?
Yes, most major rental companies let you do one-way rentals between Waukegan and Chicago airports. Depending on the company and if they need cars at the airport, they might charge a small one-way fee. Sometimes they waive the fee completely for this popular route.
Is a car necessary if staying in downtown Waukegan?
You can walk around downtown Waukegan and take the Metra train to Chicago. But we strongly suggest you rent a car to get to most local sights. Public transportation is limited, and you'll find it hard to get to places like Six Flags, shopping malls and natural areas without your own car.
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