This 356.4-mile journey from Herrin, IL to Waukegan, IL is a straightforward drive primarily along major interstates. Clocking in at approximately 6 hours and 45 minutes, it's a feasible day trip, especially since it's contained within Illinois. With a highway share of 93%, you'll be spending most of your time on the faster lanes. The estimated fuel cost is around $54, making it an economical option for a single-day adventure. This route offers a typical Midwest highway experience, connecting two points 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
178.2 miles from Herrin, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
195.2 mi
3h 34m
Ken Gray Expressway
104.1 mi
1h 52m
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
Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 195.2 mi, about 3h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Herrin, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on IL 148
0.5 mi·58 sec·South Park Avenue
2
Turn right onto East Herrin Street
1.4 mi·2 min·East Herrin Street
3
Continue on Herrin Road
3.3 mi·4 min·Herrin Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
5
Merge onto I 57
37 mi·39 min·Ken Gray Expressway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
67 mi·1 hr 12 min·Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
7
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.
8
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 94
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi·4 min·Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi·3 min·Skokie Valley Road
14
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi·10 min·South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward IL 120 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi·33 sec·Belvidere Road
17
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
18
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
20
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour 45-minute duration, an early morning departure from Herrin is recommended to arrive in Waukegan with daylight to spare. While this route is manageable in a single day, planning for one stop is wise for stretching and refueling. The longest stretch without a major road change is nearly 200 miles on I-57, so ensure your fuel tank is adequately filled before embarking on this segment. Keep an eye on traffic, particularly as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area on the Edens Expressway, as congestion can impact your estimated arrival time.
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 178.2 miles from Herrin, IL, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 195.2 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 78 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.2 miles or 3h 16m 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 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 Herrin, 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 Herrin, IL
This is one driving day of about 356.4 miles and 6h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Herrin, 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 195.2 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 42.1 and 353.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
42.1 mi into trip|~48m in|I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
7
109.6 mi into trip|~2h 1m 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
308.1 mi into trip|~5h 39m 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
337.7 mi into trip|~6h 20m 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
353.1 mi into trip|~6h 39m 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
$55.72 one way
$111.44 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$61.18
$122.35
premium
$4.89
$68.59
$137.17
diesel
$5.61
$78.69
$157.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.9
1
$37.42
$17.11
Efficient EV
89.1
1
$31.18
$14.26
EV Truck/SUV
142.6
1
$49.90
$22.81
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Herrin, IL
Evening
in Herrin on Saturday
Local time
8:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Evening
in Waukegan on Saturday
Local time
8:29 PM
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
5 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
6h 45m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 93% of the route utilizing interstates like I-57 and the Edens Expressway. You'll encounter one significant, uninterrupted stretch of 195.2 miles on I-57, which can feel like a long haul. The Ken Gray Expressway serves as an initial segment before merging onto the main interstate system. This profile suggests a driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness over leisurely sightseeing.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 195.2 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42.1 miles in near I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 356.4 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 42.1 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 109.6 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 308.1 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
792 ft417 ft
Total Climb
625 ft
Total Descent
388 ft
Highest Point
792 ft
~280 mi in
Elevation Range
376 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 45m. Total distance: 356.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 45m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 195.2 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 42.1 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 109.6 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 308.1 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 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.
