Spanning 281.2 miles across Illinois, this trek from La Harpe to Waukegan typically takes about 5 hours and 29 minutes of drive time. Because it is a highway-focused journey, you can easily complete the trip in a single day, making it a straightforward option for those looking to cross the state efficiently. With an estimated fuel budget of $43, it remains a cost-effective way to travel between these two Midwest locations. You will rely primarily on IL 110, the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, and the Tri-State Tollway to navigate the distance. This route is best suited for drivers who prioritize speed and directness over leisurely, winding backroads.
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
140.6 miles from La Harpe, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
IL 110
135 mi
2h 28m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
83 mi
1h 33m
Tri-State Tollway
35.2 mi
43m
Highway 9
14.5 mi
22m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi
5m
Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
2m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
East 1100th Street
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
IL 110
— 135 mi, about 2h 28m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~784 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,084
Quietest
2 AM
~85 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 81 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 La Harpe, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on IL 9
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
2
Continue on IL 9
15 mi·22 min·Highway 9
3
Turn left onto East 1100th Street
1.3 mi·1 min·East 1100th Street
4
Turn right onto North 1975th Road
1.0 mi·1 min·North 1975th Road
5
Turn left onto US 67; IL 110
45 mi·51 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 110
32 mi·34 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
7
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110
6.3 mi·6 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
8
Take the exit onto IL 110
135 mi·2 hr 28 min·IL 110
Exit 4BToward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
4.7 mi·5 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 139Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, RockfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
12
Merge onto I 294
35 mi·43 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi·2 min·Belvidere Road
15
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
16
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, plan your departure early to avoid potential congestion on the Tri-State Tollway as you approach Waukegan. You should budget for at least one planned stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which keeps the 5-hour and 29-minute duration manageable. Keep in mind that the majority of your travel occurs on high-speed expressways, so maintain a steady pace to optimize your $43 fuel allotment. A smart way to handle the journey is to clear your longest 135-mile stretch early in the drive while you are fresh. Remaining flexible with your timing is a major advantage on a route this direct, allowing you to bypass peak traffic hours if your schedule permits.
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 140.6 miles from La Harpe, IL, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135 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 62 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.6 miles or 2h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 23m
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 La Harpe, 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 La Harpe, IL
This is one driving day of about 281.2 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from La Harpe, 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 IL 110 for about 135 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 62.4 and 276.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
62.4 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
8
100.6 mi into trip|~2h in|IL 110
Take the exit onto IL 110 toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4B
Toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Fa...
6
235.6 mi into trip|~4h 29m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
240.3 mi into trip|~4h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 139
Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rock...
7
276.4 mi into trip|~5h 19m 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
$46.91 one way
$93.81 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$50.98
$101.96
premium
$5.26
$58.22
$116.44
diesel
$6.18
$68.41
$136.81
Estimated Tolls: $2.39
Tri-state Tollway
(35.2 mi)$2.11
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(4.7 mi)$0.28
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
$47
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.4
1
$29.53
$13.50
Efficient EV
70.3
0
$24.61
$11.25
EV Truck/SUV
112.5
1
$39.37
$18.00
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
La Harpe, IL
Late night
in La Harpe on Tuesday
Local time
5:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
S 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
5:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
71°F
Fulton, IL
141 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
6 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
5h 29m 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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 242.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 83% of this drive takes place on major highways. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the road, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 135 miles along IL 110. The character of the drive is defined by its fast-paced, interstate-heavy nature, minimizing the need for technical maneuvering through local traffic. As you transition from the rural landscape near La Harpe toward the more densely populated areas around Waukegan, the road maintains a consistent, high-speed personality. It is a functional, no-nonsense route designed to get you to your destination with minimal fuss.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135 mi on IL 110.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IL 110 and Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 62.4 miles in near IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.
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 13 significant decision points across 281.2 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 62.4 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.6 miles (IL 110): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 235.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
859 ft580 ft
Total Climb
371 ft
Total Descent
417 ft
Highest Point
859 ft
~200.9 mi in
Elevation Range
280 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between La Harpe, IL and Waukegan, IL, road signs point toward Rock Island, Rock Falls, Rockford and Milwaukee.
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 in Waukegan, Illinois, United States
•Waukegan Building — office building in Waukegan, Illinois, United States
•Hotel Waukegan — historic hotel in Waukegan, Illinois, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 29m. Total distance: 281.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 135 miles on IL 110. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.39 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.
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 62.4 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.6 miles (IL 110): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 235.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 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.
