Traveling from Ashland to Waukegan covers approximately 247.2 miles across the Illinois landscape. You can expect a drive time of about 4 hours and 54 minutes, making this a manageable one-day trip for most drivers. Your journey will primarily utilize I-55 and the Tri-State Tollway, with some travel on I-55 Business. With an estimated fuel cost of $38, it is a straightforward trek through the Midwest that doesn't require an overnight stay. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of scenery, the route is well-connected and efficient. Keep in mind that this is a highway-focused drive, so plan your schedule around steady interstate traffic.
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
123.6 miles from Ashland, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
150.2 mi
2h 45m
Tri-State Tollway
41.8 mi
50m
I 55 Business
21.4 mi
23m
IL 125
11.9 mi
17m
North Peoria Road
5.3 mi
8m
IL 97
5 mi
7m
Veterans Parkway
4.2 mi
6m
Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 150.2 mi, about 2h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ashland, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on West Washington Street
194 ft·13 sec·West Washington Street
2
Turn left onto South Yates Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·South Yates Street
3
Turn right onto East Fremont Street
0.3 mi·37 sec·East Fremont Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto IL 125
11 mi·16 min·IL 125
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on IL 125
0.9 mi·1 min·IL 125
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on IL 97
5.0 mi·7 min·IL 97
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto IL 4
4.2 mi·6 min·Veterans Parkway
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on I 55 Business
5.3 mi·8 min·North Peoria Road
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit onto I 55 Business
21 mi·23 min·I 55 Business
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
121 mi·2 hr 14 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
14
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi·45 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi·2 min·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 make the most of this nearly five-hour drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak congestion on the busier sections of the Tri-State Tollway. Since the route only requires one stop to comfortably reach your destination, look for a rest area or service plaza roughly halfway through your journey to break up the monotony. Keep in mind that the highway-heavy nature of this trip means you should monitor your fuel levels before hitting the long 150.2-mile stretch on I-55. Having your toll payment method ready is essential for a smooth transit through the tollway segments. Flexibility is your best asset here, so feel free to adjust your departure time if weather or traffic reports suggest delays on the main interstate corridors.
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 123.6 miles from Ashland, IL, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.2 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 54 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.6 miles or 2h 26m 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 57m
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 Ashland, 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 Ashland, IL
This is one driving day of about 247.2 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Ashland, 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 55 for about 150.2 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 242.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|IL 125
At end of road, turn right onto IL 125
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
48.4 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
77.8 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
198.6 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
7
242.3 mi into trip|~4h 45m in
Take the exit toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 11A
Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.65 one way
$77.29 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$42.43
$84.87
premium
$4.89
$47.57
$95.14
diesel
$5.61
$54.58
$109.16
Estimated Tolls: $2.51
Tri-state Tollway
(41.8 mi)$2.51
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.2
0
$25.96
$11.87
Efficient EV
61.8
0
$21.63
$9.89
EV Truck/SUV
98.9
1
$34.61
$15.82
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Ashland, IL
Morning
in Ashland on Tuesday
Local time
6:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Morning
in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
6:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
12 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 54m 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.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 196
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its reliance on major thoroughfares, with 78% of your travel occurring on highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-55, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 150.2 miles. Because the route is heavily interstate-based, expect a consistent, fast-paced driving experience rather than technical winding roads. The transition from the more rural stretches near Ashland to the heavier traffic patterns of the Tri-State Tollway marks the biggest shift in your environment. Staying focused during the long highway segments is key, as the character of the road remains relatively uniform for the majority of the trip.
78% 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: 150.2 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near IL 125.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 247.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (IL 125): Lane positioning matters here; at 48.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ashland, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
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 4h 54m. Total distance: 247.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 150.2 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.51 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 0.6 miles (IL 125): Lane positioning matters here; at 48.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Waukegan, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
