Origin
Paris, IL
Late night in Paris on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Paris, IL to Waukegan, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 58m
Distance
216.3 mi
348 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 45m
★
6 AM
4h 58m
8 AM
5h 25m
10 AM
5h 8m
12 PM
5h 5m
3 PM
5h 9m
5 PM
5h 24m
8 PM
4h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Paris, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Paris, IL to Waukegan, IL is 216.3 miles and takes about 4h 58m via US 41 and Georgetown Road, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily stays within the Midwest, offering a straightforward, highway-focused journey through Illinois. It's a solid option for a single-day trip, especially if you're looking for efficiency rather than extensive sightseeing. You'll spend most of your time on main roads, making it a predictable drive from start to finish.
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
108.1 miles from Paris, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 41 | 80.6 mi | 1h 45m |
| Georgetown Road | 29.6 mi | 44m |
| SR 63 | 18 mi | 22m |
| Edens Expressway | 13.5 mi | 17m |
| Bishop Ford Freeway | 10.7 mi | 14m |
| I 74 | 9.1 mi | 9m |
| South Skokie Highway | 8.2 mi | 10m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.2 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
US 41
— 80.6 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paris, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on West Court Street
335 ft
·
20 sec
·
West Court Street
2
Turn left onto US 150; IL 1
2.4 mi
·
6 min
·
IL Route 1
3
Continue on US 150; IL 1
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Georgetown Road
4
Continue on US 150; IL 1
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
1575 E US 36
5
Continue on US 150; IL 1
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Georgetown Road
6
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North State Street
7
Continue on US 150; IL 1
13 mi
·
20 min
·
Georgetown Road
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 74 East: Indianapolis
9
Merge onto I 74
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
I 74
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 4
Toward SR 63: Terre Haute, Newport
11
Merge onto SR 63
18 mi
·
22 min
·
SR 63
12
Continue on US 41
81 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
US 41
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto US 30
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Lincoln Highway
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on US 30
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Joliet Street
15
Continue on US 30
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Lincoln Highway
16
Continue on IL 83
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Glenwood Dyer Road
17
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward IL 394 North
18
Merge onto IL 394
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Calumet Expressway
19
Continue on I 94
7.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Bishop Ford Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Bishop Ford Freeway
Toward I 94 West: Chicago Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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 Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 94
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Skokie Valley Road
27
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward IL 120 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Belvidere Road
30
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
31
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
32
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
33
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 58-minute duration, this trip is comfortably manageable in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. It's wise to plan for one significant stop to break up the 80.6-mile stretch on US 41. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as with a $34 estimated cost, you'll want to ensure you're topped up, especially before heading into longer stretches. A good strategy is to fill up before leaving Paris, IL, and then plan your next refueling stop around the halfway point or slightly after the longest segment.
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 108.1 miles from Paris, IL, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.6 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 48 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.1 miles or 2h 28m 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 5m
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 Paris, 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 Paris, IL
This is one driving day of about 216.3 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Paris, 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 US 41 for about 80.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108.1 miles from Paris, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 43.8 and 213.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
43.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward SR 63: Terre Haute, Newport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 4
Toward SR 63: Terre Haute, Newport
7
161.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m in
|
I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway toward I 94 West: Chicago Loop
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 West: Chicago Loop
8
168 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m 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
197.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 33m 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
213.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m 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
$33.82 one way
$67.63 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $37.13 | $74.26 |
| premium | $4.89 | $41.62 | $83.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.76 | $95.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.9 | 0 | $22.71 | $10.38 |
| Efficient EV | 54.1 | 0 | $18.93 | $8.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.5 | 1 | $30.28 | $13.84 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
N 10 mph
39% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:33PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 16 at 12:29PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
2 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
4h 58m 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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 164.1
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 73% of the route utilizing major roadways. Expect stretches of consistent speed, particularly the longest uninterrupted segment of 80.6 miles on US 41. While the profile suggests a focus on highways, the inclusion of Georgetown Road and SR 63 indicates you'll experience some variation, likely transitioning between faster lanes and potentially slightly more local thoroughfares. The drive progresses with a predictable rhythm, allowing for steady progress towards your destination.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.6 mi on US 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 41 and Georgetown Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 216.3 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 43.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.9 miles (I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Paris, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Newport along the way.
Newport
43.8 mi in
|
~1h 4m
About the Cities
Arriving in Waukegan, IL
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 216.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.6 miles on US 41. 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 43.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.9 miles (I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168 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.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Waukegan, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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