Traveling from Assumption to Waukegan covers approximately 239 miles across the Illinois landscape. You should plan for about 4 hours and 49 minutes of total drive time, making this a manageable journey to complete in a single day. Since the route is highway-focused, you can expect a fairly efficient trip with an estimated fuel cost of around $36. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of scenery, the drive stays entirely within the Midwest region. While it is certainly possible to push through in one go, having the flexibility to add a stop helps break up the pace of the transit.
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
119.5 miles from Assumption, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 51
142 mi
2h 39m
Tri-State Tollway
41.8 mi
50m
North Water Street
27.4 mi
36m
North 1450 East Road
14.7 mi
17m
South Business Route 51
2.6 mi
3m
Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
2m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
South Franklin Street
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 51
— 142 mi, about 2h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Assumption, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on East 1st Street
105 ft·10 sec·East 1st Street
2
Turn left onto North Oak Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·North Oak Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto East 1200 North Road
0.4 mi·1 min·East 1200 North Road
4
Continue on County Highway 6
0.2 mi·25 sec·County Highway 6
5
Turn right onto US 51
0.5 mi·47 sec·North 2600 East Road
6
Continue on US 51
20 mi·22 min·US 51
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Decatur
8
Keep slight right at fork
144 ft·3 sec
Toward Decatur
9
Turn straight onto US 51 Business
2.6 mi·3 min·South Business Route 51
10
Continue on US 51 Business
0.1 mi·19 sec·South Main Street
11
Continue on US 51 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·South Franklin Street
12
Continue on US 51 Business
27 mi·36 min·North Water Street
13
Continue on US 51
15 mi·17 min·North 1450 East Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit onto US 51
122 mi·2 hr 16 min·US 51
Toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, RockfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
17
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi·45 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi·2 min·Belvidere Road
21
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
22
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
24
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
To keep your trip smooth, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid potential traffic bottlenecks as you approach the Waukegan area. With only one recommended stop planned, try to time your break around the midpoint of the 239-mile trek to rest your eyes after that long 142-mile stretch on US 51. Since you will be navigating major thoroughfares like the Tri-State Tollway, ensure you have your toll payment method ready to prevent any delays. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Assumption, as the $36 budget is a solid estimate but can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency. This route is all about pacing, so be prepared to adjust your speed as you move from rural highway sections into more populated zones.
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 119.5 miles from Assumption, IL, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142 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 53 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.5 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 53m
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 Assumption, 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 Assumption, IL
This is one driving day of about 239 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Assumption, 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 US 51 for about 142 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 234.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North Oak Street
Turn left onto North Oak Street
Navigation decision point
7
68.3 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|US 51
Take the exit onto US 51 toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
7
190.4 mi into trip|~3h 45m 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
6
197.2 mi into trip|~3h 55m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
234.2 mi into trip|~4h 40m 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
$37.36 one way
$74.73 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$41.03
$82.05
premium
$4.89
$45.99
$91.99
diesel
$5.61
$52.77
$105.54
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
$37
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.7
0
$25.10
$11.47
Efficient EV
59.8
0
$20.91
$9.56
EV Truck/SUV
95.6
1
$33.46
$15.30
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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
Assumption, IL
Late night
in Assumption on Tuesday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
5:35 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
10 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 49m 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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 189.6
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 focus on highway travel, which accounts for 61% of your total time on the road. You will spend a significant portion of the journey on US 51, including a long, uninterrupted stretch of 142 miles that requires steady focus. As you transition onto the Tri-State Tollway and eventually North Water Street, the character of the drive shifts from open highway cruising to more structured transit. Expect a mix of fast-paced corridors that demand consistent attention behind the wheel. The route offers a straightforward, functional experience that prioritizes efficiency over technical, winding backroads.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142 mi on US 51.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Oak Street.
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 13 significant decision points across 239 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: near the start (North Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 68.3 miles (US 51): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Assumption, IL and Waukegan, IL, road signs point toward Decatur and Rockford.
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 49m. Total distance: 239 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 142 miles on US 51. 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.
Yes — we found about 18 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 68.3 miles (US 51): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Waukegan, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
