Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Cuba, IL to Waukegan, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 52m

Distance

239.3 mi

385 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 39m ★
6 AM
4h 52m
8 AM
5h 19m
10 AM
5h 1m
12 PM
4h 59m
3 PM
5h 3m
5 PM
5h 18m
8 PM
4h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Cuba, IL, IL

Cuba, IL

Jo Kassis

Trip Overview

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

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 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin Use 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 11A Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road Use 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.

Downtown Normal, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

120 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

Peoria, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Normal, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 119.6 miles from Cuba, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Falco's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 188

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16306544644

Visit website

Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe & Banquets

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Darien, Illinois

1.1 mi

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Burr Ridge, Illinois

2.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukegan, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 239.3

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Falco's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 188

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16306544644

Visit website

Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe & Banquets

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 188

Darien, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13314314000

Visit website

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 188

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

Saffron Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 188

Westmont, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12246314275

Visit website

Carrabba's Italian Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately mile 188

Woodridge, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304270900

Visit website

Golden Bowl Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 188

Westmont, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+16308526688

Visit website

Subway

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv mile 153.8

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18159262726

Visit website

Sushi Ya

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 170.9

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+18157303838

Visit website

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 239.3

Waukegan, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 239.3

Gurnee, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

Visit website

InCharge Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 51.3

Morton, Illinois

+13092913039

Visit website

Circle K Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 51.3

Morton, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18335052291

Visit website

Chevrolet Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 51.3

Morton, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18003239935

Visit website

EVmatch Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 51.3

Washington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16508228157

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 34.2

Pekin, Illinois

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 34.2

Bartonville, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 188

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

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

$37.41 one way

$74.82 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $41.08 $82.15
premium $4.89 $46.05 $92.10
diesel $5.61 $52.83 $105.67

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

$37

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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, 2026-04-13.

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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Cuba, IL

Late night in Cuba on Sunday

Local time

5:36 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Late night in Waukegan on Sunday

Local time

5:36 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

10 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

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

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
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

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 Effort 10/10

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Waukegan, IL

Anna, IL 385.3 mi · 7h 15m Alorton, IL 324.6 mi · 6h 9m Edinburg, IL 244.1 mi · 4h 46m Canton, IL 225.4 mi · 4h 27m

More from Cuba, IL

Elk Grove, IL 208.5 mi · 4h 16m Markham, IL 193.1 mi · 3h 51m Rockford, IL 190.2 mi · 3h 47m Aurora, IL 171.9 mi · 3h 44m Springfield, IL 66.6 mi · 1h 49m

More trips to Waukegan, IL

Cairo, IL 411.7 mi Metropolis, IL 403.6 mi Cambria, IL 363.1 mi Herrin, IL 356.4 mi Quincy, IL 341.6 mi Aviston, IL 326.5 mi
Escape planner: Cuba, IL Scenic drives in IL

Explore more options from Cuba, IL or browse trips ending in Waukegan, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.