Greenup, IL to Waukegan, IL is 246.8 miles and takes about 4h 56m via I 57 and Edens Expressway, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a single-day trip when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
123.4 miles from Greenup, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
168.6 mi
3h 5m
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi
17m
Route 130
10 mi
14m
South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi
10m
Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi
11m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi
11m
Illinois Route 16
5.3 mi
7m
Skokie Highway
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 168.6 mi, about 3h 5m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~865 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~101 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 5 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 Greenup, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on North Delaware Street
80 ft·8 sec·North Delaware Street
2
Turn left onto IL 121
0.5 mi·55 sec·East Cumberland Street
3
Turn left onto IL 130
0.6 mi·54 sec·North Haughton Highway
4
Continue on IL 130
1.3 mi·1 min·1700E
5
Continue on IL 130
0.4 mi·32 sec·North Haughton Highway
6
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·County Road 1775 E
7
Continue on IL 130
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 1825 E
8
Continue on IL 130
10.0 mi·14 min·Route 130
9
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·Illinois Route 130
10
Continue on IL 130
1.6 mi·2 min·18th Street
11
Turn left onto IL 16
2.5 mi·4 min·Lincoln Avenue
12
Continue on IL 16
5.3 mi·7 min·Illinois Route 16
13
Continue on IL 16
0.4 mi·38 sec·Charleston Avenue East
14
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
15
Merge onto I 57
169 mi·3 hr 5 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 94
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi·4 min·Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi·3 min·Skokie Valley Road
22
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi·10 min·South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward IL 120 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi·33 sec·Belvidere Road
25
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
26
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
28
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the under-5-hour drive time, leaving Greenup, IL in the morning allows ample time to reach Waukegan, IL before evening. You'll cover 168.6 miles on I 57 before encountering other road types, so plan your first break accordingly. With a fuel cost estimated at $35, it's wise to fill up before starting or at a major exit along I 57. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time, but aim to start earlier to avoid potential traffic delays, especially as you approach the Chicagoland area on the Edens Expressway.
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 123.4 miles from Greenup, IL, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.6 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 54 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.4 miles or 2h 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 3h 56m
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 Greenup, 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 Greenup, IL
This is one driving day of about 246.8 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Greenup, 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 168.6 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 26.6 and 245.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
26.6 mi into trip|~40m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
198.6 mi into trip|~3h 50m 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
228.2 mi into trip|~4h 31m 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
243.6 mi into trip|~4h 49m 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
5
245.8 mi into trip|~4h 54m in|Glen Rock Avenue
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.45 one way
$72.89 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.24
$80.47
premium
$4.72
$45.82
$91.65
diesel
$4.80
$46.60
$93.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74
0
$25.91
$11.85
Efficient EV
61.7
0
$21.60
$9.87
EV Truck/SUV
98.7
1
$34.55
$15.80
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 13, 2026
Origin
Greenup, IL
Late night
in Greenup on Monday
Local time
1:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Clear
NNE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 12 at 8:58PM CDT until July 17 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 12 at 8:58PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Monday
Local time
1:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Clear
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 12 at 8:58PM CDT until July 17 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 12 at 8:58PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
85°F
Shelby, IN
123 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
1 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
4h 56m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 195.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 88% of the 246.8 miles on major roads like I 57. You'll experience a long stretch of 168.6 miles on I 57 before transitioning to surface roads like Route 130. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising with frequent exits as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.6 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Edens Expressway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 26.6 miles in near I 57.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 246.8 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 26.6 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.6 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228.2 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4h 56m. Total distance: 246.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 168.6 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 26.6 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.6 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228.2 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Waukegan, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
