Origin
Central, IL
Morning in Central on Tuesday
Local time
7:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Central, IL to Waukegan, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 57m
Distance
88.1 mi
142 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 49m
★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 15m
10 AM
2h 4m
12 PM
2h 2m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 14m
8 PM
1h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Central, IL
Jérémy Glineur
Trip Overview
This 88.1-mile journey from Central, Illinois, to Waukegan, Illinois, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 57 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via the Tri-State Tollway and I-55, with a portion on US 52, experiencing a mixed drive profile. With a projected fuel cost of around $14, this route offers an economical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest. There are no planned stops, suggesting a straightforward transit, but the flexibility of a shorter drive means you can easily add breaks as needed. Consider this a practical and efficient option for your travel plans.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44 miles from Central, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Tollway | 41.8 mi | 50m |
| I 55 | 23.7 mi | 29m |
| US 52 | 9.4 mi | 14m |
| Whitewillow Road | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Brisbin Road | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Belvidere Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Belvidere Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| South Jackson Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 41.8 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on this road
103 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Whitewillow Road
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Whitewillow Road
3
Turn left onto Brisbin Road
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Brisbin Road
4
Turn right onto US 52
9.4 mi
·
14 min
·
US 52
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 55
24 mi
·
29 min
·
I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
3 min
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Use the right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
9
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi
·
45 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 11A
Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Belvidere Road
13
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
14
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
16
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 1 hour and 57-minute drive, you have the advantage of flexibility. Aiming to depart outside of peak rush hour will make navigating the Tri-State Tollway and I-55 smoother. Since there are no mandated stops and the total distance is under 100 miles, you can easily add stops for fuel or rest whenever you feel the need. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the longer 41.8-mile stretch on the Tri-State Tollway, to ensure you have plenty to reach your destination comfortably.
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 44 miles from Central, IL, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.8 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 19 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44 miles or 1h 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 38m
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 Central, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Central, IL
This is one driving day of about 88.1 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Central, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 41.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44 miles from Central, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 6.1 and 83.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6.1 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
US 52
Turn right onto US 52
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
15.5 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Turn left toward I 55 North: Chicago
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
7
39.5 mi into trip
|
~53m 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
46.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m 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
83.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m 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
$13.77 one way
$27.55 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.12 | $30.25 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.95 | $33.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.45 | $38.90 |
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
$14
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.4 | 0 | $9.25 | $4.23 |
| Efficient EV | 22 | 0 | $7.71 | $3.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.2 | 0 | $12.33 | $5.64 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Morning in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
7:14 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 57m 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 drive that's about 38% highway, meaning a good portion of your 88.1 miles will be on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 41.8 miles on the Tri-State Tollway, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. This route presents a mixed drive, so be prepared for transitions between high-speed travel and potentially more varied road conditions as you move between major highways and US 52. The character of the road will shift, keeping your attention without being overly demanding.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.8 mi on Tri-State Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.1 miles in near US 52.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.1 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.1 miles (US 52): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 39.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Central, IL
Full guide →Central Illinois is a region of Illinois extending south from Chicagoland along the border with Indiana. It includes Champaign, DeWitt, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, LaSalle, Livingston, McLean, and Shelby counties.
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 1h 57m. Total distance: 88.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (38%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.8 miles on Tri-State Tollway. 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.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.1 miles (US 52): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 39.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Waukegan, IL before heading back.
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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