This 96.4-mile drive from Bourbonnais, IL, to Waukegan, IL, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 7 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on interstate highways, making it a straightforward trip through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, this route is an economical option for a quick journey. It's a highway-focused experience, perfect for those who prefer to cover ground efficiently. Plan for a direct transit rather than an extended exploration, given the relatively short distance and focus on main roads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.2 miles from Bourbonnais, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
39.6 mi
47m
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
Skokie Highway
3.8 mi
4m
North Convent Street
3.4 mi
5m
Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 39.6 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bourbonnais, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on Olde Oak Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Olde Oak Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto IL 102
0.2 mi·25 sec·Main Street Northwest
3
Turn left onto East Marsile Street
0.3 mi·31 sec·East Marsile Street
4
Continue on US 45; US 52
3.4 mi·5 min·North Convent Street
5
Turn right onto Bourbonnais Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·Bourbonnais Parkway
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I-57 North: Chicago
7
Merge onto I 57
40 mi·47 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 94
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi·4 min·Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi·3 min·Skokie Valley Road
14
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi·10 min·South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward IL 120 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi·33 sec·Belvidere Road
17
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
18
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
20
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given this drive's 2-hour duration, it's easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You won't need to plan for overnight stops, and with no specific stops listed, you can decide on breaks as needed. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you approach the Chicagoland area on the Edens Expressway, as congestion can impact your 2-hour estimate. The $15 fuel cost is a good budget point, but always check your gauge before heading out, particularly before embarking on the 39.6-mile stretch on I-57.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.2 miles from Bourbonnais, IL, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.6 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 21 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.2 miles or 1h 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 1h 43m
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 Bourbonnais, 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 Bourbonnais, IL
This is one driving day of about 96.4 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Bourbonnais, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 39.6 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 0.4 and 93.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|IL 102 / Main Street Northwest
At end of road, turn right onto IL 102 / Main Street Northwest
Navigation decision point
5
4.8 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the ramp toward I-57 North: Chicago
Navigation decision point
Toward I-57 North: Chicago
8
48.2 mi into trip|~1h 1m 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
77.8 mi into trip|~1h 42m 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
93.2 mi into trip|~2h 1m 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
$15.07 one way
$30.14 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$16.55
$33.09
premium
$4.89
$18.55
$37.10
diesel
$5.61
$21.28
$42.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.9
0
$10.12
$4.63
Efficient EV
24.1
0
$8.44
$3.86
EV Truck/SUV
38.6
0
$13.50
$6.17
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Bourbonnais, IL
Morning
in Bourbonnais on Sunday
Local time
11:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Morning
in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
11:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°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
14 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 7m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 highway-intensive experience on this route, with 76% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-57 and the Edens Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 39.6 miles on I-57, offering a consistent pace. While predominantly a high-speed journey, the transition onto South Skokie Highway will introduce a different road character as you approach your destination. The overall profile is that of a functional, efficient transit, prioritizing speed and directness over winding scenic byways.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 39.6 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Edens Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near IL 102 / Main Street Northwest.
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 11 significant decision points across 96.4 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 0.4 miles (IL 102 / Main Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 4.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 48.2 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 2h 7m. Total distance: 96.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 39.6 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (IL 102 / Main Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 4.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 48.2 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Waukegan, IL before heading back.
