Barry, IL to Waukegan, IL is 311.2 miles and takes about 5h 52m via I 55, I 72, and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, moving from one part of the Midwest to another. It's a straightforward trip that's mostly highway driving, making it a solid option for a single-day excursion. You'll want to be prepared for the tollway portion as you get closer to your destination.
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
155.6 miles from Barry, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
170.7 mi
3h 7m
I 72
91 mi
1h 38m
Tri-State Tollway
41.8 mi
50m
Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
2m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
1m
Rodgers Street
0.5 mi
1m
Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 170.7 mi, about 3h 7m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,743 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,333
Quietest
2 AM
~157 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Barry, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on Rodgers Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Rodgers Street
2
Continue on County Highway 4
0.2 mi·23 sec·County Highway 4
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
4
Merge onto I 72; US 36
91 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 72; US 36
5
Continue on I 55
20 mi·21 min·I 55
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
10
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi·45 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi·2 min·Belvidere Road
14
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
15
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
17
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 52m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning is your best bet to complete this 311.2-mile trip comfortably in one day. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest continuous stretch is 170.7 miles on I 55, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your toll pass or cash for the Tri-State Tollway as you near the Chicago metropolitan area, as this will be a cost to factor in.
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 155.6 miles from Barry, IL, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.7 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 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.6 miles or 2h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 39m
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 Barry, 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 Barry, IL
This is one driving day of about 311.2 miles and 5h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Barry, 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 170.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 112.4 and 306.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
112.4 mi into trip|~2h 2m 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
141.8 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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
262.6 mi into trip|~4h 48m 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
269.3 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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
306.3 mi into trip|~5h 43m 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
$51.91 one way
$103.82 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$56.64
$113.28
premium
$5.25
$64.36
$128.72
diesel
$6.28
$76.89
$153.79
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
$52
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.4
1
$32.68
$14.94
Efficient EV
77.8
0
$27.23
$12.45
EV Truck/SUV
124.5
1
$43.57
$19.92
Gas CO2
109 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 Oct 22, 2026
Origin
Barry, IL
Late night
in Barry on Friday
Local time
5:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Sunny
SE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Friday
Local time
5:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
E 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
9 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
5h 52m 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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 268.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 84% of the 311.2 miles on major roads like I 55, I 72, and the Tri-State Tollway. You'll experience a significant stretch of 170.7 miles on I 55, likely with consistent speeds and fewer exits. As you approach Waukegan, expect more concentrated exits and merging traffic associated with the Tri-State Tollway.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 170.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 72. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 112.4 miles in near I 55.
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 11 significant decision points across 311.2 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 112.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
791 ft434 ft
Total Climb
536 ft
Total Descent
600 ft
Highest Point
791 ft
~155.6 mi in
Elevation Range
357 ft
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 Barry, 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.
Top landmarks
•Waukegan Public Library — library in Waukegan, Illinois, United States
•Waukegan Building — office building in Waukegan, Illinois, United States
•Hotel Waukegan — historic hotel in Waukegan, Illinois, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 52m. Total distance: 311.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 52m 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 170.7 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.
Yes — we found about 30 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 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 112.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 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.
