Martinsville, IL to Waukegan, IL is 264.4 miles and takes about 5h 17m via I 57 and I 70, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region from a more rural starting point to a more urban destination. Given the relatively short duration and predominantly highway profile, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making for a straightforward drive.
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
132.2 miles from Martinsville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
168.6 mi
3h 5m
I 70
16 mi
17m
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi
17m
Route 130
10 mi
14m
South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi
10m
Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi
11m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi
11m
Illinois Route 16
5.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 168.6 mi, about 3h 5m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~865 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~101 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 5 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 Martinsville, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on Cereus Lane
461 ft·22 sec·Cereus Lane
2
Turn right onto North York Street
0.9 mi·1 min·North York Street
3
Continue on North Cleone Road
0.9 mi·1 min·North Cleone Road
4
Turn left
0.4 mi·46 sec
5
Merge onto I 70
16 mi·17 min·I 70
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward IL 130
7
Turn right onto IL 130
0.1 mi·9 sec·North Haughton Highway
8
Continue on IL 130
1.3 mi·1 min·1700E
9
Continue on IL 130
0.4 mi·32 sec·North Haughton Highway
10
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·County Road 1775 E
11
Continue on IL 130
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 1825 E
12
Continue on IL 130
10.0 mi·14 min·Route 130
13
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·Illinois Route 130
14
Continue on IL 130
1.6 mi·2 min·18th Street
15
Turn left onto IL 16
2.5 mi·4 min·Lincoln Avenue
16
Continue on IL 16
5.3 mi·7 min·Illinois Route 16
17
Continue on IL 16
0.4 mi·38 sec·Charleston Avenue East
18
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
19
Merge onto I 57
169 mi·3 hr 5 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 94
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi·4 min·Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi·3 min·Skokie Valley Road
26
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi·10 min·South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward IL 120 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi·33 sec·Belvidere Road
29
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
30
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
31
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
32
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider leaving Martinsville in the morning to give yourself plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $47, you can easily complete this trip in one day without needing an overnight stay. Plan to refuel before you hit the longest stretch on I 57 to avoid any potential inconvenience. As you approach Waukegan, be aware of increased traffic and more frequent exits.
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 132.2 miles from Martinsville, IL, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.6 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 58 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.2 miles or 2h 37m 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 12m
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 Martinsville, 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 Martinsville, IL
This is one driving day of about 264.4 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Martinsville, 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 168.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.6 and 261.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
18.6 mi into trip|~22m in|IL 130 / North Haughton Highway
Turn right onto IL 130 / North Haughton Highway
Navigation decision point
5
44.2 mi into trip|~1h in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
216.1 mi into trip|~4h 11m 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
245.7 mi into trip|~4h 51m 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
261.2 mi into trip|~5h 10m 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
$39.05 one way
$78.09 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$43.11
$86.21
premium
$4.72
$49.09
$98.18
diesel
$4.80
$49.92
$99.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.3
0
$27.76
$12.69
Efficient EV
66.1
0
$23.14
$10.58
EV Truck/SUV
105.8
1
$37.02
$16.92
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Martinsville, IL
Late night
in Martinsville on Sunday
Local time
4:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 7 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
4:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
85°F
Shelby, IN
132 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
3 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 17m 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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 209.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily weighted toward highway travel, with 88% of the route on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 168.6 miles on I 57, which is mostly uninterrupted highway cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur later in the trip as you approach the Waukegan area. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic as you get closer to your destination.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.6 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.6 miles in near IL 130 / North Haughton Highway.
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 13 significant decision points across 264.4 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 18.6 miles (IL 130 / North Haughton Highway): Navigation decision point; at 44.2 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 216.1 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
822 ft569 ft
Total Climb
394 ft
Total Descent
347 ft
Highest Point
822 ft
~188.8 mi in
Elevation Range
254 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
•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 17m. Total distance: 264.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 168.6 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.6 miles (IL 130 / North Haughton Highway): Navigation decision point; at 44.2 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 216.1 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 5.3 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.
