This 239.3-mile journey from Cuba, IL, to Waukegan, IL, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 52 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with a significant 66% share of its mileage on major roads like I-55 and the Tri-State Tollway, connecting you across the Midwest. Expect a fuel cost of around $37 for this trip. Given its manageable duration, it's a straightforward day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule without the need for an overnight stay. This drive offers a direct path through Illinois, making it an efficient option for reaching your destination.
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
119.6 miles from Cuba, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m 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
8.7 mi
15m
I 474
7.5 mi
8m
East Linn Street
7.1 mi
10m
North 1st Avenue
4.7 mi
8m
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 Cuba, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on IL 97
0.4 mi·47 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn right onto IL 97
4.7 mi·8 min·North 1st Avenue
3
Turn right onto IL 9; IL 97
8.7 mi·15 min·IL 9; IL 97
4
Continue on IL 9; IL 78
0.4 mi·47 sec·East Locust Street
5
Turn right onto North 5th Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·North 5th Avenue
6
Turn left onto IL 9
7.1 mi·10 min·East Linn Street
7
Continue on US 24; IL 9
18 mi·21 min·East Valley View Drive
8
Continue on US 24
0.9 mi·1 min·McKinley Avenue
9
Take the exit onto US 24
0.4 mi·54 sec·US 24
10
Merge onto I 474
7.5 mi·8 min·I 474
11
Merge onto I 74
27 mi·28 min·I 74
12
Keep slight left at fork
1.4 mi·2 min
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
13
Merge onto I 55; US 51
114 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 55; US 51
Use 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
For this 4-hour, 52-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your day and avoid potential midday traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to pace yourself. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 113 miles on I-55, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as highway travel can consume fuel steadily, and the estimated cost is $37.
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 119.6 miles from Cuba, IL, or about 2h 28m 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 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.6 miles or 2h 28m 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 56m
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 Cuba, 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 Cuba, IL
This is one driving day of about 239.3 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Cuba, 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 75.7 and 234.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
75.7 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
77.1 mi into trip|~1h 40m 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
190.7 mi into trip|~3h 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
197.4 mi into trip|~3h 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
234.4 mi into trip|~4h 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
$35.34 one way
$70.68 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$39.01
$78.03
premium
$4.72
$44.43
$88.86
diesel
$4.80
$45.18
$90.37
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
$35
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: 83.7 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
71.8
0
$25.13
$11.49
Efficient EV
59.8
0
$20.94
$9.57
EV Truck/SUV
95.7
1
$33.50
$15.32
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
Cuba, IL
Late night
in Cuba on Monday
Local time
5:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph20% 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
5:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 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
85°F
Bloomington, IL
120 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
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 52m 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 192.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-intensive experience on this route, as 66% of the drive utilizes major interstates. You'll encounter a substantial 113.6-mile stretch primarily on I-55, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. While the profile is largely highway-focused, be prepared for the transition onto the Tri-State Tollway and I-74 as you progress. This road character means you'll be maintaining highway speeds for most of the journey, with fewer opportunities for leisurely roadside stops.
66% 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: 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 75.7 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 16 significant decision points across 239.3 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 75.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.1 miles (I 55; US 51): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 190.7 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 52m. Total distance: 239.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m 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 19 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 75.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.1 miles (I 55; US 51): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 190.7 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 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Waukegan, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
