Traveling from Carrollton to Waukegan covers 298.3 miles across the state of Illinois. You should budget approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes of driving time, making this a trip that can be completed in a single day if you stay focused. With a fuel estimate of $45, the route is relatively budget-friendly for a long-distance haul. You will primarily utilize I-55, I-72, and the Tri-State Tollway to navigate from the southern portion of the state toward the northern suburbs. Since the entire journey stays within the Midwest, the transition is smooth, though you should prepare for a long day behind the wheel. Given the duration, it is a straightforward highway-focused drive that rewards those who plan for a steady pace.
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
149.2 miles from Carrollton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
170.7 mi
3h 7m
I 72
50.5 mi
54m
Tri-State Tollway
41.8 mi
50m
Main Street
11.9 mi
13m
United States Route 67
8.1 mi
9m
South State Avenue
2.4 mi
2m
1440 E
2.3 mi
2m
Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 170.7 mi, about 3h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carrollton, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on IL 108
159 ft·5 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 67
0.5 mi·34 sec·North 5th Street
3
Continue on US 67
8.1 mi·9 min·United States Route 67
4
Continue on US 67
1.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
5
Continue on US 67
2.4 mi·2 min·South State Avenue
6
Continue on US 67
1.4 mi·1 min·South State Street
7
Continue on US 67
2.3 mi·2 min·1440 E
8
Continue on US 67
12 mi·13 min·Main Street
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 72 East: Quincy
10
Merge onto I 72; US 36
51 mi·54 min·I 72; US 36
11
Continue on I 55
20 mi·21 min·I 55
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
121 mi·2 hr 14 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
16
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi·45 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi·2 min·Belvidere Road
20
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
21
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
23
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
To keep your 5-hour and 40-minute drive manageable, aim for an early morning departure to avoid peak congestion on the busier tollway sections. You only need to plan for one strategic stop to refuel and stretch, which helps break up the monotony of the long interstate segments. Since you are traveling nearly 300 miles, keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering the denser traffic areas where prices or accessibility might fluctuate. Remember that the Tri-State Tollway is a major part of your final approach, so ensure your electronic toll payment method is ready to avoid any delays. Maintaining a consistent speed throughout the 170.7-mile stretch on I-55 will help you reach Waukegan efficiently without unnecessary stress.
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 149.2 miles from Carrollton, IL, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.7 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 66 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.2 miles or 2h 43m 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 30m
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 Carrollton, 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 Carrollton, IL
This is one driving day of about 298.3 miles and 5h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Carrollton, 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 170.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 99.6 and 293.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
99.6 mi into trip|~1h 49m 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
128.9 mi into trip|~2h 21m 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
249.8 mi into trip|~4h 35m 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
256.5 mi into trip|~4h 45m 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
293.5 mi into trip|~5h 30m 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
$46.64 one way
$93.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$51.20
$102.41
premium
$4.89
$57.41
$114.81
diesel
$5.61
$65.86
$131.72
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
$47
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.5
1
$31.32
$14.32
Efficient EV
74.6
0
$26.10
$11.93
EV Truck/SUV
119.3
1
$41.76
$19.09
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Carrollton, IL
Morning
in Carrollton on Sunday
Local time
6:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Morning
in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
6:29 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
13 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
5h 40m 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 highway-focused experience, as 77% of your travel takes place on major interstates. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 170.7-mile stretch along I-55, which serves as the backbone of your trip. While the road personality is largely defined by the efficiency of these fast-paced arteries, you will notice the traffic patterns change as you approach the busier corridors connected to the Tri-State Tollway. This is not a technical or winding drive, but rather a consistent, high-speed transit across the state. Staying alert during the long interstate sections is key, as the monotony of the highway can settle in during the middle hours of your travel.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 170.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 72. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 99.6 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort9/10
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 12 significant decision points across 298.3 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 99.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 249.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
755 ft541 ft
Total Climb
366 ft
Total Descent
332 ft
Highest Point
755 ft
~127.9 mi in
Elevation Range
214 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Carrollton, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
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 5h 40m. Total distance: 298.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 170.7 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 99.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 249.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 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.
