Germantown, IL to Waukegan, IL is 330.8 miles and takes about 6h 23m via I 57 and US 50, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest drive keeps you primarily within Illinois, making it a straightforward trip. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, so expect a consistent pace. It's a manageable route for a single day if you're looking to get to your destination efficiently without a lengthy overnight stop.
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
165.4 miles from Germantown, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
241.8 mi
4h 24m
US 50
15.9 mi
18m
Franklin Street
14.1 mi
16m
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi
17m
South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi
10m
Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi
11m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi
11m
Skokie Highway
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 241.8 mi, about 4h 24m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~741 veh/hr typical
· worst 863
Quietest
3 AM
~100 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Germantown, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on Munster Street
342 ft·17 sec·Munster Street
2
Turn right onto Main Street
0.2 mi·46 sec·Main Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Hanover Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Hanover Street
4
Continue on South Germantown Road
3.1 mi·5 min·South Germantown Road
5
Turn right onto Old Route 50 West
0.5 mi·1 min·Old Route 50 West
6
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·North Walnut Street
7
Continue on Jamestown Road
0.1 mi·14 sec·Jamestown Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
9
Merge onto US 50
8.1 mi·9 min·US 50
10
At end of road, turn right onto US 50; IL 127
1.0 mi·1 min·12th Street
11
Turn left onto US 50
14 mi·16 min·Franklin Street
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; US 51
0.2 mi·14 sec·N Mine St
13
Continue on US 50; US 51
347 ft·4 sec·North Mine Street
14
Take the exit
134 ft·3 sec
15
Turn right onto US 50
7.8 mi·9 min·US 50
16
Turn left
0.4 mi·54 sec
17
Merge onto I 57
47 mi·50 min·I 57
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
195 mi·3 hr 34 min·I 57
Toward I 57 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
7.9 mi·11 min·Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 94
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi·4 min·Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi·3 min·Skokie Valley Road
25
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi·10 min·South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward IL 120 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi·33 sec·Belvidere Road
28
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
29
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
30
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
31
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 23m estimated drive time, leaving Germantown in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. While the drive is technically a single-day trip, consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on fuel costs, estimated at $52, and plan your fill-ups accordingly, especially during the long 241.8-mile stretch on I 57. The high highway share means you can maintain a steady speed, but be prepared for the shift to surface roads as you approach Waukegan.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 165.4 miles from Germantown, IL, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 241.8 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 73 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165.4 miles or 3h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 4m
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 Germantown, 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 Germantown, IL
This is one driving day of about 330.8 miles and 6h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Germantown, 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 57 for about 241.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 327.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
7
84 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
8
282.5 mi into trip|~5h 17m in|I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Roa...
6
312.1 mi into trip|~5h 58m in|US 41 / Skokie Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41 / Skokie Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
327.6 mi into trip|~6h 16m in
Take the exit toward IL 120 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward IL 120 East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.85 one way
$97.70 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$53.93
$107.86
premium
$4.72
$61.42
$122.84
diesel
$4.80
$62.46
$124.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.2
1
$34.73
$15.88
Efficient EV
82.7
0
$28.95
$13.23
EV Truck/SUV
132.3
1
$46.31
$21.17
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Germantown, IL
Late night
in Germantown on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 1 to 5 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Smoke
S 5 mph41% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
85°F
Shelby, IN
165 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
2 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
6h 23m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 273.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 88% of this 330.8-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on I 57 spans 241.8 miles, offering a good period of consistent cruising. Expect a noticeable change as you transition from the interstate to US 50 and then Franklin Street, where you'll encounter more local traffic and potentially more frequent intersections. The route profile is mostly highway, meaning fewer complex maneuvers for the majority of the drive.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 241.8 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and US 50. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Main Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 330.8 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 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 84 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 282.5 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 6h 23m. Total distance: 330.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 241.8 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 36 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 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 84 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 282.5 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Waukegan, IL before the return drive.
