Okawville, IL to Waukegan, IL is 337.8 miles and takes about 6h 32m via I 55 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest for its entirety. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward trip for a single day of travel. With only one recommended stop, this route is designed for efficient transit between these two points.
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
168.9 miles from Okawville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
243.4 mi
4h 26m
Tri-State Tollway
41.8 mi
50m
IL 4
26 mi
38m
I 64
17.2 mi
18m
Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
2m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
Illinois Route 177
1.3 mi
2m
South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 243.4 mi, about 4h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Okawville, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on this road
80 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right
129 ft·11 sec
3
Turn right onto IL 177
0.1 mi·12 sec·North Front Street
4
Turn slight right onto IL 177
1.3 mi·2 min·Illinois Route 177
5
Turn left
0.4 mi·46 sec
6
Merge onto I 64
17 mi·18 min·I 64
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·32 sec
Toward IL 4
8
Keep slight right at fork
181 ft·3 sec
Toward IL 4
9
Turn straight onto IL 4
26 mi·38 min·IL 4
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
11
Merge onto I 55
93 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
16
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi·45 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi·2 min·Belvidere Road
20
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
21
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
23
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 32m duration, starting early in the morning from Okawville is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. The longest stretch without a major break is 243.4 miles on I 55, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. Consider getting gas before you leave Okawville or at a major exit along I 55. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility; however, sticking to the main highways will ensure you arrive in Waukegan within the estimated timeframe.
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 168.9 miles from Okawville, IL, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 243.4 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 74 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.9 miles or 3h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 15m
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 Okawville, 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 Okawville, IL
This is one driving day of about 337.8 miles and 6h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Okawville, 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 243.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 139.1 and 332.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
139.1 mi into trip|~2h 42m 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
168.4 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
289.2 mi into trip|~5h 28m 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
295.9 mi into trip|~5h 38m 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
332.9 mi into trip|~6h 23m 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
$52.81 one way
$105.62 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$57.98
$115.97
premium
$4.89
$65.01
$130.01
diesel
$5.61
$74.58
$149.16
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
$53
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.3
1
$35.47
$16.21
Efficient EV
84.5
0
$29.56
$13.51
EV Truck/SUV
135.1
1
$47.29
$21.62
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Okawville, IL
Morning
in Okawville on Tuesday
Local time
6:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Morning
in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
6:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Bloomington, IL
169 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
4 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
6h 32m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 104.8
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...
17 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 291.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is mostly highway, with 85% of the 337.8 miles on major roads like I 55 and the Tri-State Tollway. You'll encounter a long stretch of 243.4 miles on I 55 before transitioning to IL 4. The latter part of the drive will likely involve more surface roads and potentially denser local traffic as you approach Waukegan.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 243.4 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 139.1 miles in near I 55.
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 17 significant decision points across 337.8 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 139.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 289.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Okawville, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria 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 6h 32m. Total distance: 337.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 32m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 243.4 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 33 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 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 139.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 289.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 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.
