Origin
Fairbury, IL
Morning in Fairbury on Sunday
Local time
9:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairbury, 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
3h 1m
Distance
144.1 mi
232 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 50m
★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 23m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairbury, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 144.1-mile drive from Fairbury, IL to Waukegan, IL is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 1 minute to complete. You'll primarily navigate on the Barack Obama Presidential Expressway and the Tri-State Tollway, with some time spent on North 1600 East Road. With a highway share of 53%, expect a good portion of your journey to be on faster roads. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $23. This route stays within the Midwest region, making it a straightforward journey through Illinois. Given its duration, it's well-suited for a single day of travel without the need for an overnight stop.
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
72 miles from Fairbury, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Barack Obama Presidential Expressway | 76.1 mi | 1h 26m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 41.8 mi | 50m |
| North 1600 East Road | 7.3 mi | 9m |
| East 800 North Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| East 3100 North Road | 2 mi | 2m |
| North 1500 East Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Belvidere Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Belvidere Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
— 76.1 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairbury, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto US 24; CH 6
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Oak Street
3
Continue on US 24
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East 800 North Road
4
Continue on US 24
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East 3100 North Road
5
Turn right onto CR 13
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North 3360 East Road
6
Continue on CH 10
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
North 1600 East Road
7
Continue on South Manlove Street
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Manlove Street
8
Turn left onto East Torrance Avenue
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Torrance Avenue
9
Turn right onto South Mill Street
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
South Mill Street
10
Turn left onto West Reynolds Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Reynolds Street
11
Turn right onto IL 116
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
IL 116
12
Continue on IL 116
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
IL 116
13
Continue on IL 23
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Old Route 66
14
Turn left onto IL 23
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
West Custer Avenue
15
Continue on North 1500 East Road
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North 1500 East Road
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 55 North: Joliet
17
Merge onto I 55
76 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
3 min
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Use the right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
20
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi
·
45 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 11A
Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Belvidere Road
24
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
25
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
26
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
27
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour drive, starting in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Waukegan. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 76.1-mile stretch on the Barack Obama Presidential Expressway, as finding services might be less frequent during that segment. The estimated fuel cost of $23 is a good budget to keep in mind for this trip.
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 72 miles from Fairbury, IL, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.1 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 32 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72 miles or 1h 30m 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 26m
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 Fairbury, 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 Fairbury, IL
This is one driving day of about 144.1 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Fairbury, 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 Barack Obama Presidential Expressway for about 76.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72 miles from Fairbury, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Barack Obama Presidential Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.1 miles.
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 165 decision points cluster between mile 19.4 and 139.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
19.4 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
I 55 / Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
Merge onto I 55 / Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
95.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m 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
5
97 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
6
102.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m 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
139.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m 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
$22.53 one way
$45.06 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.74 | $49.47 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.73 | $55.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.82 | $63.63 |
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: 50.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.13 | $6.92 |
| Efficient EV | 36 | 0 | $12.61 | $5.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.17 | $9.22 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Morning in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
9:22 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
3h 1m 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.
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 94.4
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is a mixed one, with 53% of it being on highways. You'll experience stretches of faster driving, including a significant 76.1-mile segment on the Barack Obama Presidential Expressway. This means you'll likely encounter a blend of efficient travel and possibly some local road transitions. The overall profile suggests a drive that balances speed with the necessity of navigating through different types of roadways, rather than a purely monotonous interstate experience.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.1 mi on Barack Obama Presidential Expressway.
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 19.4 miles in near I 55 / Barack Obama Presidential Expressway.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 144.1 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 19.4 miles (I 55 / Barack Obama Presidential Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 97 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 3h 1m. Total distance: 144.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.1 miles on Barack Obama Presidential Expressway. 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 19.4 miles (I 55 / Barack Obama Presidential Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 97 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 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.
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