Origin
Lovington, IL
Morning in Lovington on Sunday
Local time
9:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lovington, 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
4h 36m
Distance
224.5 mi
361 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 23m
★
6 AM
4h 36m
8 AM
5h 3m
10 AM
4h 46m
12 PM
4h 43m
3 PM
4h 47m
5 PM
5h 2m
8 PM
4h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lovington, IL
Mike Tyurin
Trip Overview
Lovington, IL to Waukegan, IL is 224.5 miles and takes about 4h 36m 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, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey that's very manageable for a single day. If you're looking for a direct path with minimal fuss, this route should fit the bill, getting you from point A to point B efficiently. Expect a relatively quick travel time with practical considerations for fuel and rest.
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
112.2 miles from Lovington, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 146.5 mi | 2h 42m |
| Edens Expressway | 13.5 mi | 17m |
| County Road 950 North | 10.1 mi | 15m |
| South Skokie Highway | 8.2 mi | 10m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.2 mi | 11m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 7.9 mi | 11m |
| West Columbia Street | 6.1 mi | 10m |
| North County Road 000 East | 4.6 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 146.5 mi, about 2h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lovington, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on East State Street
473 ft
·
26 sec
·
East State Street
2
Turn left onto IL 32
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
South County Street
3
Turn left onto IL 133
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
210 N
4
Continue on IL 133
6.1 mi
·
10 min
·
West Columbia Street
5
Turn left onto South Vine Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Vine Street
6
Continue on North County Road 000 East
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
North County Road 000 East
7
At end of road, turn right onto US 36
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
United States Route 36
8
Continue on US 36
9.3 mi
·
13 min
·
County Road 950 North
9
Continue on US 36
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Southline Road
10
Continue on US 36
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 950 North
11
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
12
Merge onto I 57
147 mi
·
2 hr 42 min
·
I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 94
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Skokie Valley Road
19
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward IL 120 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Belvidere Road
22
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
23
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
25
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 36m estimated drive time and 224.5-mile distance, this trip is easily completed in one day. Aim for an early morning departure from Lovington to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic, especially as you near the Chicago metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or just before transitioning onto the Edens Expressway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; the longest stretch on I 57 is 146.5 miles, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. The $35 fuel cost estimate is a good baseline for budgeting.
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 112.2 miles from Lovington, IL, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.5 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 49 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.2 miles or 2h 18m 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 41m
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 Lovington, 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 Lovington, IL
This is one driving day of about 224.5 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Lovington, 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 146.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 112.2 miles from Lovington, 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 146.5 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 26.4 and 223.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
26.4 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
176.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m 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
205.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m 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
221.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m 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
223.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 33m in
|
Glen Rock Avenue
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.10 one way
$70.20 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $38.54 | $77.07 |
| premium | $4.89 | $43.20 | $86.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.57 | $99.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.4 | 0 | $23.57 | $10.78 |
| Efficient EV | 56.1 | 0 | $19.64 | $8.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.8 | 1 | $31.43 | $14.37 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Morning in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
9:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
N 10 mph
39% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:33PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 16 at 12:29PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
14 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 36m 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 170.3
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?
This drive is primarily a highway-focused experience, with 80% of the route utilizing major interstates and expressways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 57, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 146.5 miles. This means consistent speeds and a focus on covering distance. As you approach your destination, you'll transition to the Edens Expressway, which maintains a similar high-speed character. While County Road 950 North is part of the route, its share is minor, suggesting the bulk of the journey is on multi-lane, faster-paced roads.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.5 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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 26.4 miles in near I 57.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 224.5 miles you will encounter 12 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 26.4 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 176.2 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.8 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
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 4h 36m. Total distance: 224.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 146.5 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 26.4 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 176.2 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.8 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Waukegan, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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