This 138.5-mile drive from Granville to Waukegan, Illinois, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 52 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-80 and the Tri-State Tollway, this route is focused on efficient travel, making it an ideal one-day trip. With a projected fuel cost of around $22, it's an economical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on major highways, so expect a consistent pace for most of the drive. This trip is designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
69.3 miles from Granville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m 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
IL 71
8 mi
14m
I 39
6.6 mi
7m
Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
2m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 47.3 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Granville, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on Harrison Court
133 ft·11 sec·Harrison Court
2
Turn left onto McCoy Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·McCoy Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto IL 71
8.0 mi·14 min·IL 71
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 39 North, US 51 North: Rockford
5
Merge onto I 39; US 51
6.6 mi·7 min·I 39; US 51
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·57 sec
Exit 59AToward I 80 East: Chicago
7
Merge onto I 80
47 mi·50 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 126BToward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 55
27 mi·32 min·I 55
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
12
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi·45 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi·2 min·Belvidere Road
16
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
17
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 52 minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance, you have flexibility in your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without exits is 47.3 miles on I-80. The estimated fuel cost of $22 should help you budget, but it's always wise to have a little extra for unexpected needs.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.3 miles from Granville, IL, or about 1h 22m 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 30 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.3 miles or 1h 22m 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 18m
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 Granville, 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 Granville, IL
This is one driving day of about 138.5 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Granville, 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.2 and 133.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
8.2 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the ramp toward I 39 North, US 51 North: Rockford
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39 North, US 51 North: Rockford
7
63 mi into trip|~1h 14m 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
90 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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
96.7 mi into trip|~1h 58m 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
133.7 mi into trip|~2h 43m 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
$21.65 one way
$43.31 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.77
$47.55
premium
$4.89
$26.65
$53.31
diesel
$5.61
$30.58
$61.16
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
$22
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.6
0
$14.54
$6.65
Efficient EV
34.6
0
$12.12
$5.54
EV Truck/SUV
55.4
0
$19.39
$8.86
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Granville, IL
Morning
in Granville on Tuesday
Local time
10:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 20 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 12:05PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 12:05PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Morning
in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
10:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
8 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
2h 52m 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
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 90.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive features a 64% highway share, meaning you'll be on interstates for the majority of your 138.5 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 47.3 miles on I-80, offering a good period of consistent speed. While the route primarily uses major roadways like I-80, Tri-State Tollway, and I-55, it's designed for smooth, albeit predictable, progress. Expect a driving experience centered on maintaining speed and covering ground efficiently rather than intricate local roads or winding scenic byways.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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?
10/10
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 8.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 15 significant decision points across 138.5 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 8.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 90 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 2h 52m. Total distance: 138.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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 8.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 90 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Waukegan, IL before heading back.
