Marshall, IL to Waukegan, IL is 235.8 miles and takes about 5h 18m via US 41, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, beginning and ending in Illinois. It's a primarily highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day journey. Plan for a steady pace as you make your way north, keeping in mind the estimated fuel costs to help with budgeting.
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
117.9 miles from Marshall, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 41
80.6 mi
1h 45m
SR 63
58.9 mi
1h 14m
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi
17m
Bishop Ford Freeway
10.7 mi
14m
I 70
9.6 mi
11m
South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi
10m
Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi
11m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
US 41
— 80.6 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marshall, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on Archer Avenue
52 ft·6 sec·Archer Avenue
2
Turn sharp right onto IL 1
2.0 mi·3 min·IL 1
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward IL 1
4
Merge onto I 70
9.6 mi·11 min·I 70
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi·50 sec
Exit 1Toward National Avenue, West Terre Haute, Terre HauteUse the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Continue on West National Avenue
3.5 mi·5 min·West National Avenue
7
Turn left onto US 150
1.9 mi·2 min·N 3rd Street
8
Continue on US 150
4.5 mi·6 min·US 150
9
Turn right onto Pennington Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Pennington Road
10
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·1 min·this road
11
Turn left onto SR 63
59 mi·1 hr 14 min·SR 63
12
Continue on US 41
81 mi·1 hr 45 min·US 41
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto US 30
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Lincoln Highway
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on US 30
2.7 mi·5 min·Joliet Street
15
Continue on US 30
1.0 mi·2 min·Lincoln Highway
16
Continue on IL 83
3.1 mi·5 min·Glenwood Dyer Road
17
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward IL 394 North
18
Merge onto IL 394
3.7 mi·5 min·Calumet Expressway
19
Continue on I 94
7.9 mi·10 min·Bishop Ford Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
2.8 mi·3 min·Bishop Ford Freeway
Toward I 94 West: Chicago LoopUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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.
23
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 94
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi·4 min·Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi·3 min·Skokie Valley Road
27
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi·10 min·South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward IL 120 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi·33 sec·Belvidere Road
30
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
31
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
32
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
33
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 18m duration, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Waukegan without feeling rushed. With only one suggested stop and a short overall drive, you have flexibility in when and where you take breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 80.6-mile stretch on US 41, to ensure you're not caught needing a station unexpectedly. The $37 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 117.9 miles from Marshall, IL, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.6 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 52 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.9 miles or 2h 35m 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 Marshall, 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 Marshall, IL
This is one driving day of about 235.8 miles and 5h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Marshall, 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 41 for about 80.6 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 12 and 232.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
12 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward National Avenue, West Terre Haute, Terre Haute
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 1
Toward National Avenue, West Terre Haute, Terre...
7
181.4 mi into trip|~4h 3m in|I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway toward I 94 West: Chicago Loop
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 West: Chicago Loop
8
187.5 mi into trip|~4h 12m 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
217.1 mi into trip|~4h 52m 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
232.5 mi into trip|~5h 11m 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
$36.86 one way
$73.73 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$40.48
$80.95
premium
$4.89
$45.38
$90.76
diesel
$5.61
$52.06
$104.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.7
0
$24.76
$11.32
Efficient EV
59
0
$20.63
$9.43
EV Truck/SUV
94.3
1
$33.01
$15.09
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Marshall, IL
Evening
in Marshall on Sunday
Local time
8:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Evening
in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
8:43 PM
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
8 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 18m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 86% of this journey, meaning you'll spend most of your time on faster roads like US 41 and the Edens Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 80.6 miles on US 41, so you can settle in for a decent period without frequent exits. While the majority is highway, the route offers a consistent driving experience without dramatic shifts in road type, allowing for a predictable rhythm.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.6 mi on US 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 41 and SR 63. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 235.8 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 12 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.4 miles (I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.5 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.
On the drive from Marshall, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Terre Haute 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 18m. Total distance: 235.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.6 miles on US 41. 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 12 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.4 miles (I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.5 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 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.
