Origin
Cambridge, IL
Late night in Cambridge on Monday
Local time
1:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cambridge, IL to Waukegan, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 52m
Distance
193.2 mi
311 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 39m
★
6 AM
3h 52m
8 AM
4h 18m
10 AM
4h 1m
12 PM
3h 58m
3 PM
4h 2m
5 PM
4h 16m
8 PM
3h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cambridge, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This highway-focused drive from Cambridge to Waukegan, Illinois, covers 193.2 miles and will take you about 3 hours and 52 minutes. It's a straightforward trip that's easily manageable as a single-day journey, with a projected fuel cost of around $30. You'll primarily be on major interstates like I-80 and the Tri-State Tollway, making for efficient travel through the Midwest. Given the relatively short duration, you have plenty of flexibility for when you depart and how you pace your journey. This route is designed for getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
96.6 miles from Cambridge, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 106.8 mi | 1h 54m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 41.8 mi | 50m |
| I 55 | 26.6 mi | 32m |
| IL 82 | 9.1 mi | 16m |
| Belvidere Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Belvidere Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| North 1025th Avenue | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| South Jackson Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 106.8 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on North Prospect Street
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
North Prospect Street
2
Turn left onto IL 81
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
West Court Street
3
Continue on IL 81; IL 82
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
North 1025th Avenue
4
Turn left onto IL 82
9.1 mi
·
16 min
·
IL 82
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
6
Merge onto I 80
107 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 55
27 mi
·
32 min
·
I 55
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
3 min
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
11
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi
·
45 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 11A
Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Belvidere Road
15
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
16
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
For this 193.2-mile trip, departing in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Waukegan. With a duration of under four hours, you won't need to plan for an overnight stay, and the single stop is likely for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major exit opportunity is over 100 miles on I-80. Budgeting around $30 for fuel should cover the trip comfortably. Consider a mid-morning departure to allow for a relaxed pace and to make the most of your time on the road.
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 96.6 miles from Cambridge, IL, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.8 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 43 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.6 miles or 1h 51m 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 6m
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 Cambridge, 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 Cambridge, IL
This is one driving day of about 193.2 miles and 3h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Cambridge, 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 80 for about 106.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 96.6 miles from Cambridge, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 10.9 and 188.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
10.9 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
117.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
7
144.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m 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
151.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m 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
188.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m 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
$30.20 one way
$60.41 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.16 | $66.33 |
| premium | $4.89 | $37.18 | $74.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.66 | $85.31 |
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
$30
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58 | 0 | $20.29 | $9.27 |
| Efficient EV | 48.3 | 0 | $16.90 | $7.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.3 | 0 | $27.05 | $12.36 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night in Waukegan on Monday
Local time
1:35 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
8 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
3h 52m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this drive, with 74% of the route on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 106.8 miles along I-80, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent highway speeds. While the profile is highway-focused, the transition between I-80, the Tri-State Tollway, and I-55 will offer some variation in your driving environment. This isn't a winding country road adventure, but rather a functional journey optimized for speed and directness across the Illinois landscape.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.8 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.9 miles in near I 80.
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 13 significant decision points across 193.2 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 10.9 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 52m. Total distance: 193.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.8 miles on I 80. 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 10.9 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Waukegan, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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