This 240.8-mile drive from Buckeye, IL to Waukegan, IL takes approximately 4 hours and 56 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate on I-55, the Tri-State Tollway, and I-74, with about 67% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $38, and the overall feel is a focused highway experience through the Midwest. This route is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
120.4 miles from Buckeye, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
113.6 mi
2h 6m
Tri-State Tollway
41.8 mi
50m
I 74
27 mi
28m
East Valley View Drive
17.7 mi
21m
IL 9
13.2 mi
23m
I 474
7.5 mi
8m
East Linn Street
7.1 mi
10m
County Road 2
2.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 113.6 mi, about 2h 6m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,093 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,450
Quietest
2 AM
~146 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 43 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 Buckeye, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on County Road 2
2.4 mi·5 min·County Road 2
2
Turn right onto IL 9
13 mi·23 min·IL 9
3
Turn right onto North 5th Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·North 5th Avenue
4
Turn left onto IL 9
7.1 mi·10 min·East Linn Street
5
Continue on US 24; IL 9
18 mi·21 min·East Valley View Drive
6
Continue on US 24
0.9 mi·1 min·McKinley Avenue
7
Take the exit onto US 24
0.4 mi·54 sec·US 24
8
Merge onto I 474
7.5 mi·8 min·I 474
9
Merge onto I 74
27 mi·28 min·I 74
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.4 mi·2 min
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
11
Merge onto I 55; US 51
114 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 55; US 51
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
14
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi·45 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi·2 min·Belvidere Road
18
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
19
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
21
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 56-minute duration, starting your trip from Buckeye, IL earlier in the day is advisable to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you transition between major highways. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major break is over 113 miles on I-55. The estimated $38 fuel cost is a good baseline for your budget.
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 120.4 miles from Buckeye, IL, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.6 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 53 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.4 miles or 2h 31m 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 59m
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 Buckeye, 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 Buckeye, IL
This is one driving day of about 240.8 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Buckeye, 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 113.6 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 77.2 and 235.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
77.2 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
5
78.6 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|I 55; US 51
Merge onto I 55; US 51
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
192.2 mi into trip|~3h 51m 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
198.9 mi into trip|~4h 1m 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
235.9 mi into trip|~4h 46m 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
$35.56 one way
$71.12 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$39.26
$78.52
premium
$4.72
$44.71
$89.42
diesel
$4.80
$45.47
$90.94
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
$36
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.2
0
$25.28
$11.56
Efficient EV
60.2
0
$21.07
$9.63
EV Truck/SUV
96.3
1
$33.71
$15.41
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Buckeye, IL
Late night
in Buckeye on Monday
Local time
3:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Monday
Local time
3:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 10 to 15 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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
5 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 56m 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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 191
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 240.8-mile journey, with 67% of the route utilizing major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 113.6 miles on I-55, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While largely an interstate experience, the transition between I-55, the Tri-State Tollway, and I-74 will keep the drive dynamic. It's a route designed for efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.6 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 77.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 240.8 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 77.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.6 miles (I 55; US 51): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 192.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 56m. Total distance: 240.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.6 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 20 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 77.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.6 miles (I 55; US 51): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 192.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Waukegan, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
