Mount Sterling, IL to Waukegan, IL is 283.8 miles and takes about 5h 54m via I 55 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. You'll encounter a mix of highway driving and surface roads on this trip. It's a solid option for a single-day drive when you want to get from point A to point B efficiently without too much fuss.
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
141.9 miles from Mount Sterling, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
113.6 mi
2h 6m
Tri-State Tollway
41.8 mi
50m
I 74
27 mi
28m
East Valley View Drive
17.7 mi
21m
Broadway Street
17.1 mi
25m
East Main Street
16.2 mi
24m
South Congress Street
15.9 mi
23m
US 24
13.9 mi
20m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 113.6 mi, about 2h 6m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,093 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,450
Quietest
2 AM
~146 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 43 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 Mount Sterling, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on East Washington Street
6 ft·5 sec·East Washington Street
2
Turn left onto East Court Street
341 ft·20 sec·East Court Street
3
Turn left onto East North Street
49 ft·4 sec·East North Street
4
Turn right
350 ft·20 sec
5
Turn left onto US 24; IL 99
16 mi·24 min·East Main Street
6
Turn left onto US 24
16 mi·23 min·South Congress Street
7
Continue on US 24
17 mi·25 min·Broadway Street
8
Turn right onto US 24; IL 97
3.6 mi·5 min·East Avenue E
9
Continue on US 24; IL 78
14 mi·20 min·US 24; IL 78
10
Continue on US 24
186 ft·7 sec·West Valley View Drive
11
Turn right onto US 24; IL 9
0.1 mi·13 sec·West Valleyview Drive
12
Continue on US 24; IL 9
18 mi·21 min·East Valley View Drive
13
Continue on US 24
0.9 mi·1 min·McKinley Avenue
14
Take the exit onto US 24
0.4 mi·54 sec·US 24
15
Merge onto I 474
7.5 mi·8 min·I 474
16
Merge onto I 74
27 mi·28 min·I 74
17
Keep slight left at fork
1.4 mi·2 min
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
18
Merge onto I 55; US 51
114 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 55; US 51
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
21
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi·45 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi·2 min·Belvidere Road
25
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
26
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
28
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Waukegan comfortably. With only one recommended stop, you can decide on the fly where to take a break, perhaps after the longest stretch of 113.6 miles on I 55. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $50, and plan your refueling accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic conditions, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area.
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 141.9 miles from Mount Sterling, IL, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.6 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 62 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.9 miles or 3h 6m 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 47m
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 Mount Sterling, 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 Mount Sterling, IL
This is one driving day of about 283.8 miles and 5h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Mount Sterling, 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 55 for about 113.6 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 278.9 — 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|East Court Street
Turn left onto East Court Street
Navigation decision point
6
120.2 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
7
235.2 mi into trip|~4h 50m 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
241.9 mi into trip|~5h 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
278.9 mi into trip|~5h 45m 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
$41.91 one way
$83.82 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$46.27
$92.54
premium
$4.72
$52.69
$105.39
diesel
$4.80
$53.59
$107.17
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
$42
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
26 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
East Peoria, IL - Tesla Supercharger
East Peoria, IL
Tesla
12 DCFC
Normal, IL - West Raab Road - Tesla Supercharger
Normal, IL
Tesla
12 DCFC
Normal, IL - East College Avenue - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.1
1
$29.80
$13.62
Efficient EV
71
0
$24.83
$11.35
EV Truck/SUV
113.5
1
$39.73
$18.16
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Jul 20, 2026
Origin
Mount Sterling, IL
Late night
in Mount Sterling on Monday
Local time
12:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Patchy Smoke then Patchy Fog
E 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 8:08PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 2:15PM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Monday
Local time
12:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Smoke
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 8:08PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 2:15PM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 54m 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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 234.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 57% highway, meaning a significant portion will be on faster-paced roads like I 55 and the Tri-State Tollway. You'll have a longest stretch of 113.6 miles on I 55, offering uninterrupted cruising. Expect the transition from highway to surface roads to occur at some point during your 5-hour trip. The route features mixed highway and surface driving profiles.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.6 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Court Street.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 283.8 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: near the start (East Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 120.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 235.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 54m. Total distance: 283.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.6 miles on I 55. 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 20 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 120.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 235.2 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 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.
