O'Fallon, IL to Waukegan, IL is 322.8 miles and takes about 6h 11m via I 55 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traveling north through the Midwest region. It's a pretty straightforward drive, mostly on major interstates, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. You'll find the route is largely predictable, ideal if you prefer a less complicated travel day.
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
161.4 miles from O'Fallon, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
261.9 mi
4h 46m
Tri-State Tollway
41.8 mi
50m
North Illinois Street
3.8 mi
5m
Vandalia Street
2.8 mi
4m
Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
2m
I 64
1.8 mi
2m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 261.9 mi, about 4h 46m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,633 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,039
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 O'Fallon, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on West State Street
1.0 mi·2 min·West State Street
2
Enter roundabout onto West State Street
72 ft·3 sec·West State Street
3
Continue on West State Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·West State Street
4
Turn right onto West Highway 50
0.5 mi·51 sec·West Highway 50
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
6
Merge onto I 64; US 50
1.8 mi·2 min·I 64; US 50
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 12Toward IL 159: Belleville, CollinsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
220 ft·5 sec
Toward CollinsvilleUse the right lane.
9
Turn straight onto IL 159
3.8 mi·5 min·North Illinois Street
10
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi·1 min·South Morrison Avenue
11
Continue on IL 159
2.8 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
13
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
3.8 mi·4 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
121 mi·2 hr 14 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
19
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi·45 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi·2 min·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
Given the 6h 11m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. While it's possible in one day, breaking it up might be more comfortable, though the provided data suggests one stop is sufficient. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $57. Pay attention to your GPS as you transition from I 55 to the Tri-State Tollway and then to surface roads in the Waukegan area, as navigation can become more complex.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.4 miles from O'Fallon, IL, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 261.9 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 71 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.4 miles or 3h 1m 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 56m
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 O'Fallon, 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 O'Fallon, IL
This is one driving day of about 322.8 miles and 6h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from O'Fallon, 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 261.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 274.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.8 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward IL 159: Belleville, Collinsville
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.
Exit 12
Toward IL 159: Belleville, Collinsville
8
4.1 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Collinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Collinsville
7
124.1 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
153.4 mi into trip|~2h 52m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
274.2 mi into trip|~5h 6m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.67 one way
$95.34 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$52.63
$105.25
premium
$4.72
$59.93
$119.87
diesel
$4.80
$60.95
$121.90
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
$48
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.8
1
$33.89
$15.49
Efficient EV
80.7
0
$28.25
$12.91
EV Truck/SUV
129.1
1
$45.19
$20.66
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
O'Fallon, IL
Afternoon
in O'Fallon on Sunday
Local time
12:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 to 8 mph39% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Afternoon
in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
12:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Smoke
S 5 mph41% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
69°F
Springfield, IL
161 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 11m 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.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 278.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 82% of the drive on major roads. You'll spend the longest stretch, 261.9 miles, on I 55 before transitioning. The final portion of the drive involves surface streets like North Illinois Street as you approach your destination. Expect a good amount of merging and exiting traffic as you navigate through different sections of Illinois.
82% 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: 261.9 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 322.8 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 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
843 ft541 ft
Total Climb
493 ft
Total Descent
391 ft
Highest Point
843 ft
~161.4 mi in
Elevation Range
302 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between O'Fallon, IL and Waukegan, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
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 6h 11m. Total distance: 322.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 261.9 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 35 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 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 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.
