Traveling from Bement to Waukegan spans approximately 200.6 miles and typically takes about 4 hours of drive time. Because this route is entirely within Illinois and maintains a consistent highway-focused profile, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip. You should budget roughly $30 for fuel to cover the journey. While you will navigate a mix of I-72, I-57, and the Edens Expressway, the drive remains straightforward for those comfortable with interstate travel. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of scenery, this trip offers a direct path through the heart of the Midwest.
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
100.3 miles from Bement, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
123.5 mi
2h 17m
I 72
15.4 mi
16m
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi
17m
South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi
10m
Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi
11m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi
11m
Macon Street
6.1 mi
8m
Skokie Highway
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 123.5 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bement, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on IL 105
6.1 mi·8 min·Macon Street
2
Continue on IL 105
3.2 mi·6 min·South Market Street
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·54 sec
Toward I-72 East: Champaign
4
Merge onto I 72
15 mi·16 min·I 72
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 182BToward I 57 North: Chicago
6
Merge onto I 57
124 mi·2 hr 17 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
To make the most of your 4-hour journey, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, especially as you near the busier northern segments of the route. Since the itinerary includes only one planned stop, use that break strategically to stretch your legs and refresh after the long 123.5-mile push on I-57. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge early on, as the $30 estimate assumes steady highway cruising efficiency. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace depending on road conditions. Planning for a single, well-timed rest stop will keep you alert behind the wheel for the duration of the 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 100.3 miles from Bement, IL, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.5 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 44 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.3 miles or 1h 55m 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 12m
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 Bement, 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 Bement, IL
This is one driving day of about 200.6 miles and 4h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Bement, 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 123.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.2 and 197.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
25.2 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward I 57 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 182B
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
5
25.5 mi into trip|~32m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
152.4 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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
181.9 mi into trip|~3h 35m 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
197.4 mi into trip|~3h 53m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.36 one way
$62.72 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$34.43
$68.87
premium
$4.89
$38.60
$77.21
diesel
$5.61
$44.29
$88.58
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: 70.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.2
0
$21.06
$9.63
Efficient EV
50.2
0
$17.55
$8.02
EV Truck/SUV
80.2
1
$28.08
$12.84
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Bement, IL
Morning
in Bement on Tuesday
Local time
8:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Morning
in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
8:27 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 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 86% of this 200.6-mile trek takes place on major highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-57, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the journey at 123.5 miles. The character of the road is functional and efficient, designed to keep you moving steadily toward your destination. As you transition from the rural stretches of central Illinois onto the Edens Expressway, you will notice the traffic patterns shift, requiring more focus as you approach Waukegan. It is a classic highway grind that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
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: 123.5 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 72. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.2 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 200.6 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 25.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 25.5 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.4 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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. Total distance: 200.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 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 123.5 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 25.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 25.5 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.4 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Waukegan, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
