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Trip from Brooklyn, IL to Waukegan, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 11m

Distance

325.3 mi

524 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
5h 59m ★
6 AM
6h 11m
8 AM
6h 37m
10 AM
6h 20m
12 PM
6h 18m
3 PM
6h 22m
5 PM
6h 36m
8 PM
6h 4m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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borough of New York City, New York, United States

Brooklyn, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 325.3-mile drive from Brooklyn, IL to Waukegan, IL is designed for efficiency, taking approximately 6 hours and 11 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-55, the Tri-State Tollway, and I-70, this route is an 84% highway-focused experience, making it a solid contender for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $51, the journey is budget-friendly for a solo traveler or a pair. Both your origin and destination are located in the Midwest, so expect a familiar, straightforward drive through the heart of Illinois.

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

162.7 miles from Brooklyn, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 258.1 mi 4h 42m
Tri-State Tollway 41.8 mi 50m
I 70 16.4 mi 19m
Belvidere Road 1.9 mi 2m
Belvidere Street 1.6 mi 3m
S 2nd Street 1.2 mi 2m
South Jackson Street 0.5 mi 1m
Glen Rock Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 258.1 mi, about 4h 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Brooklyn, IL and Waukegan, IL.

1

Start on South 6th Street

233 ft · 12 sec · South 6th Street
2

Turn right onto Jefferson Street

0.2 mi · 57 sec · Jefferson Street
3

At end of road, turn left onto IL 3

1.2 mi · 2 min · S 2nd Street
4

Turn right onto Plank Road

0.2 mi · 45 sec · Plank Road
5

Turn left onto Packers Avenue

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Packers Avenue
6

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Toward I 70 East: Chicago, Louisville, Indianapolis
7

Merge onto I 70

16 mi · 19 min · I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

108 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

121 mi · 2 hr 14 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

1.6 mi · 3 min
Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin Use the right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
13

Merge onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 11A Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Turn straight onto IL 120

1.9 mi · 2 min · 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 the 6-hour, 11-minute duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart early to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically to manage the longest stretch of 258.1 miles on I-55. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $51 estimated cost suggests a need for at least one refueling stop during the journey. Consider utilizing toll passes for the Tri-State Tollway to streamline your passage.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.7 miles from Brooklyn, IL, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 258.1 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 72 miles or 1h 22m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 162.7 miles or 3h 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 55m

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 Brooklyn, 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 Brooklyn, IL

This is one driving day of about 325.3 miles and 6h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Brooklyn, 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 258.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

163 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Springfield, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 162.7 miles from Brooklyn, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 258.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Pizza Ranch

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Springfield, Illinois

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch · 1h 46m in 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12176798844

Visit website

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Burr Ridge, Illinois

2.2 mi

Taco Bell

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Countryside, Illinois

2.1 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukegan, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Pizza Ranch

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12176798844

Visit website

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

Taco Bell

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Countryside, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+17083545535

Visit website

Sushi Ya

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+18157303838

Visit website

Wasabi Sushi Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Edwardsville, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+16186559880

Visit website

Mayo Ketchup

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13146962699

Visit website

Mr Gyros

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12175232817

Taco Gringo South

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12176702905

Visit website

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Waukegan, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10

Gurnee, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Atlanta, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Rivian Waypoints

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484261

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484273

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Normal, Illinois

+13094549590

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

St. Louis Union Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+13149233960

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 18.7 and 320.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
18.7 mi into trip | ~24m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springf...
7
126.6 mi into trip | ~2h 21m 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
155.9 mi into trip | ~2h 52m 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
276.7 mi into trip | ~5h 7m 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
7
320.5 mi into trip | ~6h 2m 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

$50.86 one way

$101.71 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 114 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $55.84 $111.68
premium $4.89 $62.60 $125.20
diesel $5.61 $71.82 $143.64

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

$51

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 113.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 97.6 1 $34.16 $15.61
Efficient EV 81.3 0 $28.46 $13.01
EV Truck/SUV 130.1 1 $45.54 $20.82

Gas CO2

114 kg

EV CO2

38 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 Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Brooklyn, IL

Late night in Brooklyn on Tuesday

Local time

3:54 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Late night in Waukegan on Tuesday

Local time

3:54 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Partly Sunny

WNW 15 to 20 mph 14% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:50AM CDT until April 21 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:48AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

68°F

Bloomington, IL

163 mi in

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

23 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

6h 11m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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

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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 101
View on nps.gov
Pullman National Historical Park

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 ~44 min detour Free near mile 280.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 84% of the drive taking place on major interstates. You'll encounter an uninterrupted stretch of 258.1 miles primarily on I-55, offering a consistent pace. The main roads include I-55, the Tri-State Tollway, and I-70, indicating a drive characterized by high speeds and efficient travel, typical of long-distance Midwest corridors. This isn't a route for leisurely sightseeing, but rather for covering ground effectively.

84% 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: 258.1 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.7 miles in near I 55.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 325.3 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 18.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Brooklyn, IL and Waukegan, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.

Springfield

18.7 mi in | ~24m | via I 55

Kansas City

18.7 mi in | ~24m | via I 55

Peoria

155.9 mi in | ~2h 52m | via I 55

About the Cities

Arriving in Waukegan, IL

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 11m. Total distance: 325.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 258.1 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.

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 18.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 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.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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