Traveling from Arthur to Waukegan spans 215.1 miles across the Illinois Midwest, a journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 19 minutes. Because this route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it is best suited for a single, focused day trip. You should budget approximately $32 for fuel to cover the distance. While the drive is manageable in one stint, the turn-heavy nature of the path means you will need to stay alert throughout the journey. It is a straightforward trek through the heart of the state, connecting the rural landscapes of Arthur to the northern reaches of Waukegan.
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
107.5 miles from Arthur, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
146.5 mi
2h 42m
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi
17m
County Road 950 North
10.1 mi
15m
South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi
10m
Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi
11m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi
11m
North County Road 000 East
4.6 mi
6m
Skokie Highway
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 146.5 mi, about 2h 42m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~865 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~101 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 5 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arthur, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on South Vine Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Vine Street
2
Continue on North County Road 000 East
4.6 mi·6 min·North County Road 000 East
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 36
0.6 mi·51 sec·United States Route 36
4
Continue on US 36
9.3 mi·13 min·County Road 950 North
5
Continue on US 36
0.5 mi·1 min·East Southline Road
6
Continue on US 36
0.8 mi·1 min·County Road 950 North
7
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
8
Merge onto I 57
147 mi·2 hr 42 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 94
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi·4 min·Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi·3 min·Skokie Valley Road
15
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi·10 min·South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward IL 120 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi·33 sec·Belvidere Road
18
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
19
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
21
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 4-hour and 19-minute travel time. Since you are relying entirely on local roads, leave with plenty of daylight to navigate the frequent turns safely. Check your fuel levels before departing Arthur, as you will need about $32 to complete the 215.1-mile trek. Given the technical nature of the road, prioritize a morning departure to avoid navigating unfamiliar local intersections after dark. A helpful tip for this specific route is to keep your GPS active at all times, as the transition between North County Road 000 East, Route 36, and County Road 950 North requires precise navigation.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 107.5 miles from Arthur, IL, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.5 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 47 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.5 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 26m
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 Arthur, 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 Arthur, IL
This is one driving day of about 215.1 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Arthur, 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 146.5 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 17 and 214.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
17 mi into trip|~26m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
166.8 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
196.4 mi into trip|~3h 53m 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
211.9 mi into trip|~4h 12m 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
214.1 mi into trip|~4h 16m in|Glen Rock Avenue
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.77 one way
$63.53 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.07
$70.14
premium
$4.72
$39.94
$79.87
diesel
$4.80
$40.61
$81.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.5
0
$22.59
$10.32
Efficient EV
53.8
0
$18.82
$8.60
EV Truck/SUV
86
1
$30.11
$13.77
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Arthur, IL
Afternoon
in Arthur on Sunday
Local time
12:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 13 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 12:23PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Afternoon
in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
12:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNE 10 to 15 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 12:23PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
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
7 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
4h 19m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 163.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that trades high-speed highway cruising for a more deliberate pace. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend your time navigating North County Road 000 East, Route 36, and County Road 950 North. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on North County Road 000 East, meaning you will be managing turns and intersections consistently rather than settling into a cruise-control rhythm. This profile makes for a hands-on driving experience where the road surface and navigation require your full attention. It is a departure from the typical interstate grind, offering a more intimate look at the local road network.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.5 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Edens Expressway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 17 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 215.1 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 17 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 166.8 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 196.4 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.
Top landmarks
•Waukegan Public Library — library
•Waukegan Building — office building in Waukegan, Illinois, United States
•Hotel Waukegan — historic hotel in Waukegan, Illinois, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 19m. Total distance: 215.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 146.5 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 17 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 166.8 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 196.4 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Waukegan, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
