Spanning 309.5 miles across Illinois, this trek from Albion to Waukegan takes approximately 6 hours and 25 minutes of driving time. Because this is a manageable distance for a single day of travel, you can comfortably complete the journey without needing an overnight stop, though you should plan for at least one break to stay refreshed. Expect to budget around $47 for fuel for the one-way trip. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major arterial roads like I-57, IL 33, and 500E. This is a straightforward, highway-focused route that transitions you through the heart of the Midwest, making it a functional choice if you need to travel between these two points efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
154.7 miles from Albion, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
168.6 mi
3h 5m
IL 33
36.3 mi
53m
500E
24.1 mi
32m
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi
17m
South Van Buren Street
11 mi
15m
South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi
10m
Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi
11m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 168.6 mi, about 3h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albion, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on IL 15; IL 130
24 mi·32 min·500E
2
Continue on IL 130; IL 250
2.5 mi·4 min·South West Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on IL 130
6.7 mi·9 min·County Road 1100 East
4
Continue on IL 130
11 mi·15 min·South Van Buren Street
5
Turn right onto IL 33; IL 130
36 mi·53 min·IL 33; IL 130
6
Turn left onto IL 16
2.5 mi·4 min·Lincoln Avenue
7
Continue on IL 16
5.3 mi·7 min·Illinois Route 16
8
Continue on IL 16
0.4 mi·38 sec·Charleston Avenue East
9
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
10
Merge onto I 57
169 mi·3 hr 5 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
7.9 mi·11 min·Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 94
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi·4 min·Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi·3 min·Skokie Valley Road
17
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi·10 min·South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward IL 120 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi·33 sec·Belvidere Road
20
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
21
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
23
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour and 25-minute transit, aim to leave early in the morning to beat potential congestion as you approach the Waukegan area. Since the drive is highway-intensive, keep a steady eye on your fuel gauge during the long 168.6-mile stretch on I-57, as highway speeds can impact your overall consumption. Planning for at least one dedicated stop is essential to maintain your focus and comfort behind the wheel. Given the route's reliance on I-57, check traffic reports for that specific corridor before you depart to ensure you can maintain your travel time. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to pull over for a longer break if you feel fatigue setting in during the second half of the trip.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 154.7 miles from Albion, IL, or about 3h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 68 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.7 miles or 3h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waukegan, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Albion, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Albion, IL
This is one driving day of about 309.5 miles and 6h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Albion, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 168.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 89.2 and 308.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
89.2 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
261.2 mi into trip|~5h 19m in|I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Roa...
6
290.8 mi into trip|~5h 59m in|US 41 / Skokie Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41 / Skokie Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
306.2 mi into trip|~6h 18m in
Take the exit toward IL 120 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward IL 120 East
5
308.5 mi into trip|~6h 22m in|Glen Rock Avenue
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.39 one way
$96.77 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$53.13
$106.25
premium
$4.89
$59.56
$119.12
diesel
$5.61
$68.33
$136.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.9
1
$32.50
$14.86
Efficient EV
77.4
0
$27.08
$12.38
EV Truck/SUV
123.8
1
$43.33
$19.81
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Albion, IL
Late night
in Albion on Sunday
Local time
4:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
4:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
13 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 25m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 256.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With roughly 79% of your journey spent on highways, this drive is designed for consistency and speed rather than winding, technical backroads. You will settle into a rhythmic pace, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 168.6 miles on I-57. While the initial segments involve smaller roads like 500E and IL 33, the route quickly shifts into a standard interstate experience. The character of the road is decidedly pragmatic, favoring efficiency over scenic variety. You should anticipate a predictable, high-speed environment for most of the six-hour duration as you head north through the state.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.6 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 33. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 89.2 miles in near I 57.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 309.5 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 89.2 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 261.2 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.8 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Waukegan is in the Far North Suburbs of the Chicagoland region of Illinois. It sits on Lake Michigan, has a large harbor, and is the county seat of Lake County, Illinois.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 25m. Total distance: 309.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 25m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 168.6 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Waukegan, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 89.2 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 261.2 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.8 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Waukegan, IL before the return drive.
