Origin
Louisville, IL
Morning in Louisville on Sunday
Local time
9:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Louisville, IL to Waukegan, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 27m
Distance
275.2 mi
443 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 14m
★
6 AM
5h 28m
8 AM
5h 55m
10 AM
5h 37m
12 PM
5h 35m
3 PM
5h 39m
5 PM
5h 53m
8 PM
5h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Louisville, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 275.2-mile drive from Louisville, IL to Waukegan, IL is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 27 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day road trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The route stays within Illinois, traversing the heart of the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $43, it's an economical option for getting from point A to point B. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes efficiency over scenic detours.
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
137.6 miles from Louisville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 196 mi | 3h 35m |
| United States Route 45 | 14.9 mi | 22m |
| Edens Expressway | 13.5 mi | 17m |
| County Road 925 E | 10 mi | 14m |
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 196 mi, about 3h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Louisville, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on Chestnut Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Chestnut Street
2
Turn right onto US 45
10.0 mi
·
14 min
·
County Road 925 E
3
Continue on US 45
15 mi
·
22 min
·
United States Route 45
4
Turn right onto US 40; US 45; IL 33
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
West Fayette Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 45
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South 3rd Street
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute
7
Merge onto I 57; I 70
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
I 57; I 70
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
195 mi
·
3 hr 34 min
·
I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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 Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 94
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Skokie Valley Road
15
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward IL 120 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Belvidere Road
18
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
19
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
21
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 27-minute duration, starting your journey in the morning is recommended to allow ample time for any unexpected delays. While this trip is designed for one day, remember that the 196-mile stretch on I 57 means you'll want to plan for at least one fuel and rest stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that long stretch, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. The $43 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer.
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 137.6 miles from Louisville, IL, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196 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 61 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.6 miles or 2h 42m 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 20m
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 Louisville, 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 Louisville, IL
This is one driving day of about 275.2 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Louisville, 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 196 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 137.6 miles from Louisville, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 196 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 27.1 and 272 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
27.1 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the ramp toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre...
7
28.4 mi into trip
|
~43m 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
226.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m 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
256.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 2m 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
272 mi into trip
|
~5h 21m 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
$43.02 one way
$86.05 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $47.24 | $94.48 |
| premium | $4.89 | $52.96 | $105.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.76 | $121.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.6 | 1 | $28.90 | $13.21 |
| Efficient EV | 68.8 | 0 | $24.08 | $11.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.1 | 1 | $38.53 | $17.61 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Morning in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
9:57 AM
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
9 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
5h 27m 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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 218.3
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be spending 89% of your time on highways, making this a predominantly high-speed experience. The main arteries for this trip are I 57 and the Edens Expressway, with a significant portion of United States Route 45 also included. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 196 miles on I 57, meaning you can settle in for a good while on this main thoroughfare. This profile suggests a consistent, highway-centric drive, ideal for covering distance quickly.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 196 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and United States Route 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 27.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 275.2 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 27.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.4 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 226.9 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Louisville, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Terre Haute along the way.
Terre Haute
27.1 mi in
|
~41m
About the Cities
Starting in Louisville, IL
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Clay County Jail — prison in Louisville, United States of America
- • Clay County Courthouse — historic courthouse in Louisville, Illinois, USA
Arriving in Waukegan, IL
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 275.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 196 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 27.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.4 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 226.9 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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