This 115.4-mile drive from Herscher, IL to Waukegan, IL will take you about 2 hours and 35 minutes, making it a perfect single-day trip. You'll primarily be on I-57 and the Edens Expressway, with a short section on West 4000 South Road. With a fuel cost estimated at $18, this route offers an efficient way to travel within the Midwest. Expect a straightforward journey with a clear destination in mind. This is a practical option for getting from point A to point B without much 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
57.7 miles from Herscher, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
42.8 mi
50m
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi
17m
West 4000 South Road
9.7 mi
13m
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
— 42.8 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Herscher, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on West Kankakee Avenue
0.2 mi·41 sec·West Kankakee Avenue
2
Turn left onto CH 12
0.5 mi·1 min·South Park Road
3
Turn right onto IL 115
0.1 mi·13 sec·East Illinois Route 115
4
Continue on IL 115
9.7 mi·13 min·West 4000 South Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto IL 115
3.0 mi·5 min·South 2000 West Road
6
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 115
0.1 mi·14 sec·South 2000 West Road
7
Continue on IL 115
0.3 mi·29 sec·West 1000S Road
8
Continue on IL 115
1.7 mi·3 min·West Jeffery Street
9
Turn left onto IL 50
0.6 mi·49 sec·South Schuyler Avenue
10
Turn right onto East River Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·East River Street
11
Turn left onto IL 50
1.2 mi·1 min·South Harrison Avenue
12
At end of road, turn right onto IL 50
0.4 mi·36 sec·Fair Street
13
Continue on IL 50
0.6 mi·54 sec·North Hobbie Avenue
14
Continue on IL 50
2.1 mi·3 min·South Kinzie Avenue
15
Turn left
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward I-57 North: Chicago
16
Merge onto I 57
43 mi·50 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 94
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi·4 min·Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi·3 min·Skokie Valley Road
23
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi·10 min·South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward IL 120 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi·33 sec·Belvidere Road
26
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
27
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
28
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
29
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 35-minute drive, leaving in the morning is advisable to avoid potential afternoon congestion. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to depart when it suits you. The estimated fuel cost of $18 is quite manageable, so you won't need to worry excessively about refueling stops. Keep an eye on your GPS, especially as you transition between I-57 and the Edens Expressway, to ensure you maintain the most efficient path. This straightforward route allows for a relaxed pace.
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 57.7 miles from Herscher, IL, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.8 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 25 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.7 miles or 1h 17m 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 7m
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 Herscher, 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 Herscher, IL
This is one driving day of about 115.4 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Herscher, 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 42.8 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.7 and 112.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
17.7 mi into trip|~28m in|IL 50 / Fair Street
At end of road, turn right onto IL 50 / Fair Street
Navigation decision point
5
20.8 mi into trip|~33m in
Turn left toward I-57 North: Chicago
Navigation decision point
Toward I-57 North: Chicago
8
67.1 mi into trip|~1h 29m 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
96.7 mi into trip|~2h 9m 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
112.2 mi into trip|~2h 28m 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
$18.04 one way
$36.08 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.81
$39.62
premium
$4.89
$22.21
$44.42
diesel
$5.61
$25.48
$50.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.6
0
$12.12
$5.54
Efficient EV
28.9
0
$10.10
$4.62
EV Truck/SUV
46.2
0
$16.16
$7.39
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (65% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Herscher, IL
Late night
in Herscher on Tuesday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
5:21 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
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
2h 35m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 66% of the journey utilizing major expressways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 42.8 miles on I-57, offering a chance to maintain steady speeds. The character of the drive is largely dictated by these faster-paced roads, designed for efficient travel between these Illinois locations. While not overly complex, be prepared for the typical traffic flow associated with major interstates as you approach your destination.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.8 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Edens Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.7 miles in near IL 50 / Fair 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 15 significant decision points across 115.4 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 17.7 miles (IL 50 / Fair Street): Navigation decision point; at 20.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 67.1 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 35m. Total distance: 115.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.8 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 17.7 miles (IL 50 / Fair Street): Navigation decision point; at 20.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 67.1 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Waukegan, IL before heading back.
