Traversing the entire length of Illinois from Metropolis to Waukegan is a significant undertaking, covering 403.6 miles across the Midwest. You should plan for roughly 7 hours and 40 minutes of driving time, making this a long but manageable trip for a single day if you start early. With a fuel budget of approximately $61, it is a cost-effective way to travel between the southern tip of the state and the northern suburbs. You will spend the vast majority of your journey on major interstates, providing a direct connection between these two regions. While it can be completed in one go, consider your tolerance for long hauls before committing to the full stretch without an overnight stay.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
201.8 miles from Metropolis, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
195.2 mi
3h 34m
Ken Gray Expressway
119.1 mi
2h 8m
I 24
25.4 mi
27m
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi
17m
South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi
10m
Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi
11m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi
11m
North Avenue
6.3 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 195.2 mi, about 3h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metropolis, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on West 5th Street
45 ft·8 sec·West 5th Street
2
Turn left onto US 45
0.4 mi·1 min·Ferry Street
3
Turn left onto US 45
0.2 mi·29 sec·West 10th Street
4
Turn right onto Pearl Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Pearl Street
5
Turn slight left onto North Avenue
6.3 mi·9 min·North Avenue
6
Continue on New Columbia Road
4.3 mi·5 min·New Columbia Road
7
Turn right onto Big Bay Road
0.4 mi·41 sec·Big Bay Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward New Columbia, Big Bay
9
Merge onto I 24
25 mi·27 min·I 24
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 44BToward I 57 North: Chicago
11
Merge onto I 57
52 mi·55 min·Ken Gray Expressway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
67 mi·1 hr 12 min·Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
195 mi·3 hr 34 min·I 57
Toward I 57 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 94
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi·4 min·Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi·3 min·Skokie Valley Road
20
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi·10 min·South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward IL 120 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi·33 sec·Belvidere Road
23
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
24
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
26
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 403.6-mile trek effectively, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic as you approach the northern end of the state. Budget for at least two planned stops to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $61 fuel estimate in mind as you plan your gas usage. Since the route is 92% highway, keep a close eye on your cruise control settings and maintain steady awareness during the long 195.2-mile stretch on I-57. Flexibility is your best asset here; if the drive feels too taxing, look for mid-way points along the interstate corridor to break up the monotony and ensure you arrive in Waukegan alert and ready for your next destination.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 201.8 miles from Metropolis, IL, or about 3h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 195.2 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 89 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.8 miles or 3h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 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 Metropolis, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Metropolis, IL
This is one driving day of about 403.6 miles and 7h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Metropolis, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 195.2 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 37.4 and 400.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
37.4 mi into trip|~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 44B
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
7
156.8 mi into trip|~2h 55m 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
355.4 mi into trip|~6h 34m 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
384.9 mi into trip|~7h 14m 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
400.4 mi into trip|~7h 33m 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
$63.10 one way
$126.20 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$69.28
$138.56
premium
$4.89
$77.67
$155.34
diesel
$5.61
$89.11
$178.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
121.1
1
$42.38
$19.37
Efficient EV
100.9
1
$35.32
$16.14
EV Truck/SUV
161.4
2
$56.50
$25.83
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Metropolis, IL
Evening
in Metropolis on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 6 to 9 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Evening
in Waukegan on Saturday
Local time
8:27 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
18 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 40m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 347.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience as 92% of your journey stays on major routes like I-57, I-24, and the Ken Gray Expressway. The character of the drive is defined by efficiency, prioritizing speed and interstate connectivity over winding local roads. A substantial portion of your time will be spent on the longest uninterrupted stretch, which spans 195.2 miles along I-57. Because this is a high-speed transit route, the drive maintains a consistent pace, though you should be prepared for the mental fatigue that comes with such a long, interstate-dominated itinerary.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 195.2 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 37.4 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 403.6 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 37.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 156.8 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 355.4 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
769 ft361 ft
Total Climb
846 ft
Total Descent
554 ft
Highest Point
769 ft
~259.5 mi in
Elevation Range
408 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 40m. Total distance: 403.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 40m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 195.2 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 37.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 156.8 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 355.4 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 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.3 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.
