Traveling from Atwood to Waukegan covers approximately 209.6 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 11 minutes of driving time. Because this route is manageable within a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budget roughly $31 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. You will be traversing the Illinois landscape, moving from the central part of the state toward the northern region near the coast. This journey is straightforward enough for a quick getaway, offering a clear connection between these two Midwest locations.
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
104.8 miles from Atwood, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m 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 mi
15m
South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi
10m
Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi
11m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi
11m
Skokie Highway
3.8 mi
4m
Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi
3m
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 Atwood, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 36
9.2 mi·13 min·County Road 950 North
3
Continue on US 36
0.5 mi·1 min·East Southline Road
4
Continue on US 36
0.8 mi·1 min·County Road 950 North
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
6
Merge onto I 57
147 mi·2 hr 42 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 94
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi·4 min·Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi·3 min·Skokie Valley Road
13
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi·10 min·South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward IL 120 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi·33 sec·Belvidere Road
16
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
17
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy drive, plan to depart early in the day to ensure you reach Waukegan before fatigue sets in from navigating local roads. You only need to build in one stop to manage the 4-hour and 11-minute duration effectively. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between County Road 950 North and the other local connectors, as the lack of highway stretches means you will be making frequent adjustments to your route. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to pull over for a break if the local turns become repetitive. Given the $31 fuel estimate, filling up your tank before you leave Atwood will help you avoid searching for stations during the more rural portions of your drive.
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 104.8 miles from Atwood, IL, or about 2h 1m 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 46 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.8 miles or 2h 1m 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 20m
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 Atwood, 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 Atwood, IL
This is one driving day of about 209.6 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Atwood, 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 11.5 and 208.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.5 mi into trip|~18m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
161.4 mi into trip|~3h 5m 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
191 mi into trip|~3h 45m 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
206.4 mi into trip|~4h 4m 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
208.7 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|Glen Rock Avenue
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.95 one way
$61.91 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$34.17
$68.34
premium
$4.72
$38.92
$77.83
diesel
$4.80
$39.58
$79.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.9
0
$22.01
$10.06
Efficient EV
52.4
0
$18.34
$8.38
EV Truck/SUV
83.8
1
$29.34
$13.41
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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 19, 2026
Origin
Atwood, IL
Late night
in Atwood on Sunday
Local time
2:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
N 5 to 10 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:38PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:04PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
2:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Smoke
NE 5 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:38PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:04PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
1 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 11m 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...
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 rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route relies on a mix of local roads like County Road 950 North and East Southline Road. While you will utilize I-57 North to make progress, the highway share is 0% of the total distance, meaning you should be prepared for frequent turns and navigating local infrastructure. There is no long-haul uninterrupted stretch, as the longest segment remains 0 miles on County Road 950 North. Consequently, you should stay alert behind the wheel, as the road conditions demand constant attention compared to a standard high-speed highway experience.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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 11.5 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 209.6 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 11.5 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.4 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191 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 11m. Total distance: 209.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). 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.
Yes — we found about 23 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.5 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.4 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191 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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Waukegan, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
