Evans, IL to Waukegan, IL is 150.2 miles and takes about 3h 1m via I 80 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a highway-focused experience for most of the journey. Given its manageable length and duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
75.1 miles from Evans, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m 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
2.6 mi
3m
Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
2m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
County Road 2800 East
0.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 47.3 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evans, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on County Road 2800 East
0.6 mi·2 min·County Road 2800 East
2
Turn left onto 700 North Road
2.6 mi·3 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
With a total drive time of just over 3 hours, this route offers flexibility, making an early morning departure ideal to maximize your day. You'll encounter only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the 47.3-mile mark on I 80. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated fuel cost is $23, and ensure you have enough before heading out, especially if you prefer to minimize stops. This is a straightforward trip, so focus on enjoying the efficient journey.
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 75.1 miles from Evans, IL, or about 1h 24m 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 33 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.1 miles or 1h 24m 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 25m
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 Evans, 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 Evans, IL
This is one driving day of about 150.2 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Evans, 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 26.8 and 145.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
26.8 mi into trip|~31m 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
74.7 mi into trip|~1h 23m 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
101.7 mi into trip|~1h 57m 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
108.4 mi into trip|~2h 7m 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
145.4 mi into trip|~2h 52m 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
$22.91 one way
$45.83 round trip
$3.88/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$25.24
$50.48
premium
$4.81
$28.42
$56.84
diesel
$5.61
$33.16
$66.32
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
$23
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.1
0
$15.77
$7.21
Efficient EV
37.6
0
$13.14
$6.01
EV Truck/SUV
60.1
0
$21.03
$9.61
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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
Evans, IL
Afternoon
in Evans on Tuesday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Afternoon
in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 15 to 20 mph100% chanceLive 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
29 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 1m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is largely a highway-focused drive, with 65% of the route utilizing major interstates like I 80, the Tri-State Tollway, and I 55. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 47.3 miles on I 80, indicating periods of consistent, higher-speed travel. While primarily interstate, the route offers a straightforward path, minimizing complex navigation. The character remains consistent for much of the journey, emphasizing efficient travel over varied scenery.
65% 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 26.8 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 150.2 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 26.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 74.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.7 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 3h 1m. Total distance: 150.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m 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 26.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 74.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Waukegan, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
