Maroa to Waukegan is 200 miles and takes about 3 hours 58 minutes via US 51 and Tri-State Tollway, 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. Expect a straightforward drive with a significant portion on major highways. It's a convenient route for a single-day trip, perfect if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points without extensive planning.
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
100 miles from Maroa, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 51
151 mi
2h 52m
Tri-State Tollway
41.8 mi
50m
Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
2m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
1m
Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
West Washington Street
0.4 mi
<1m
North Maple Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 51
— 151 mi, about 2h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maroa, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on West Main Street
189 ft·10 sec·West Main Street
2
Turn right onto North Maple Street
348 ft·20 sec·North Maple Street
3
Turn left onto West Washington Street
0.4 mi·58 sec·West Washington Street
4
Turn right onto US 51
29 mi·35 min·US 51
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit onto US 51
122 mi·2 hr 16 min·US 51
Toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, RockfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
8
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi·45 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi·2 min·Belvidere Road
12
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
13
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
15
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3-hour, 58-minute drive, consider leaving Maroa in the morning to avoid the worst of potential afternoon traffic. With a total distance of 200 miles, it's easily manageable in one day, so flexibility is key. The longest continuous stretch is 151 miles on US 51, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you hit that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $35, and ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably.
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 100 miles from Maroa, IL, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151 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 44 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100 miles or 1h 56m 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 10m
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 Maroa, 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 Maroa, IL
This is one driving day of about 200 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Maroa, 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 US 51 for about 151 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 0 and 195.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North Maple Street
Turn right onto North Maple Street
Navigation decision point
7
29.3 mi into trip|~37m in|US 51
Take the exit onto US 51 toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, 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.
Toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
7
151.5 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
6
158.2 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
195.2 mi into trip|~3h 48m 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
$33.36 one way
$66.72 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$36.40
$72.80
premium
$5.25
$41.36
$82.72
diesel
$6.28
$49.42
$98.83
Estimated Tolls: $2.51
Tri-state Tollway
(41.8 mi)$2.51
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
$33
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60
0
$21.00
$9.60
Efficient EV
50
0
$17.50
$8.00
EV Truck/SUV
80
0
$28.00
$12.80
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Maroa, IL
Morning
in Maroa on Thursday
Local time
7:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Morning
in Waukegan on Thursday
Local time
7:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
S 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 58m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 151.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 75% of the drive on major roads. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 151 miles on US 51 before transitioning. Expect a high density of exits and merging traffic as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area on the Tri-State Tollway. The latter portion of the drive on Belvidere Road will likely involve more local traffic and intersections.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151 mi on US 51.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Maple Street.
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 200 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: near the start (North Maple Street): Navigation decision point; at 29.3 miles (US 51): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
814 ft545 ft
Total Climb
362 ft
Total Descent
436 ft
Highest Point
814 ft
~42.9 mi in
Elevation Range
268 ft
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 Maroa, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Rockford along the way.
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 3h 58m. Total distance: 200 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151 miles on US 51. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.51 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.
Yes — we found about 19 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Maple Street): Navigation decision point; at 29.3 miles (US 51): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Waukegan, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
