Custer, IL to Waukegan, IL is 153.1 miles and takes about 3h 5m via I 80 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, moving from one part of the Midwest to another. Expect a fairly direct journey with a significant portion on major highways. It's a straightforward trip, making it a good option for a single-day excursion when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
76.5 miles from Custer, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
47.3 mi
50m
Tri-State Tollway
41.8 mi
50m
I 55
26.6 mi
32m
I 39
23.2 mi
24m
700 North Road
5.6 mi
8m
Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
2m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
County Road 2500 East
0.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 47.3 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Custer, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on County Road 2500 East
0.5 mi·2 min·County Road 2500 East
2
Turn left onto 700 North Road
5.6 mi·8 min·700 North Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
4
Merge onto I 39; US 51
23 mi·24 min·I 39; US 51
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi·57 sec
Exit 59AToward I 80 East: Chicago
6
Merge onto I 80
47 mi·50 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 126BToward I 55 North: ChicagoUse 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 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse 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 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse 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
Given the 3h 5m estimated drive time, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to avoid potential rush hour congestion, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. With only one stop ideally needed for fuel or a quick break, you have flexibility to adjust your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a planned stop is 47.3 miles. A good tip for this drive is to ensure you have an I-PASS or E-ZPass transponder if you plan to use the Tri-State Tollway, as it can significantly speed up your passage through toll plazas.
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 76.5 miles from Custer, IL, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.3 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 34 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.5 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 28m
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 Custer, 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 Custer, IL
This is one driving day of about 153.1 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Custer, 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 47.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 29.6 and 148.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
29.6 mi into trip|~35m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 59A
Toward I 80 East: Chicago
7
77.5 mi into trip|~1h 27m 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
104.5 mi into trip|~2h 1m 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
111.2 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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
148.2 mi into trip|~2h 56m 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
$23.94 one way
$47.87 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.28
$52.56
premium
$4.89
$29.46
$58.93
diesel
$5.61
$33.80
$67.61
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
$24
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.9
0
$16.08
$7.35
Efficient EV
38.3
0
$13.40
$6.12
EV Truck/SUV
61.2
0
$21.43
$9.80
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Custer, IL
Morning
in Custer on Tuesday
Local time
10:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 18 mph92% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:24PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:24PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Morning
in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
10:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 15 to 20 mph100% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:24PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:24PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
1 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
3h 5m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 105.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 63% of the route utilizing major interstates like I 80 and I 55, as well as the Tri-State Tollway. You'll encounter stretches that are primarily high-speed driving, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 47.3 miles on I 80. While much of the journey involves consistent highway travel, be prepared for the dynamic nature of tollways and interstates as you navigate through traffic and various road conditions. The character remains largely consistent with its focus on efficient travel.
63% 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: 47.3 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 29.6 miles in.
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 13 significant decision points across 153.1 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 29.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 77.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.5 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 153.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.3 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 29.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 77.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.5 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 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Waukegan, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
