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Trip from Piasa, IL to Waukegan, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 50m

Distance

299.2 mi

482 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 37m ★
6 AM
5h 51m
8 AM
6h 17m
10 AM
6h 0m
12 PM
5h 57m
3 PM
6h 1m
5 PM
6h 15m
8 PM
5h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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unincorporated community in Macoupin County, Illinois

Piasa, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 299.7-mile drive from Piasa, IL, to Waukegan, IL, is estimated to take around 4 hours and 51 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, with a highway share of 0%, so expect a more relaxed pace. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is $46. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, plan for frequent adjustments. As both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, you'll stay within familiar territory throughout this Illinois-bound adventure.

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

149.6 miles from Piasa, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 224.1 mi 4h 5m
Tri-State Tollway 41.8 mi 50m
IL 16 16.8 mi 25m
8000N 8.1 mi 12m
Belvidere Road 1.9 mi 2m
Belvidere Street 1.6 mi 3m
West Railroad Street 1.2 mi 1m
South Jackson Street 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 224.1 mi, about 4h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Piasa, IL and Waukegan, IL.

1

Start on Piasa Road

125 ft · 7 sec · Piasa Road
2

Turn right onto IL 16

3.7 mi · 5 min · 8000N
3

Continue on IL 16

1.2 mi · 1 min · West Railroad Street
4

Continue on IL 16

4.4 mi · 6 min · 8000N
5

Turn left onto IL 16

17 mi · 25 min · IL 16
6

Continue on IL 16

376 ft · 23 sec · County Road 1200 N
7

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 55 North: Springfield
8

Merge onto I 55

74 mi · 1 hr 20 min · I 55
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

121 mi · 2 hr 14 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

1.6 mi · 3 min
Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin Use the right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
13

Merge onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 11A Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Turn straight onto IL 120

1.9 mi · 2 min · Belvidere Road
17

Continue on IL 120

1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
18

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
19

Turn left onto South Jackson Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Jackson Street
20

Arrive at destination

North Jackson Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4h 51m duration and the turn-heavy profile, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. While this drive can be completed in one day, with only one stop recommended, you have flexibility to add more if needed, especially since there's no longest stretch to worry about. Keep an eye on your fuel, as this route is entirely on local roads without major highway service areas. A practical tip for this route: familiarize yourself with the main roads, 8000N, West Railroad Street, and County Road 1200 N, before you leave, as they form the backbone of your journey.

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 149.6 miles from Piasa, IL, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.1 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 66 miles or 1h 22m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 149.6 miles or 2h 53m 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 40m

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 Piasa, 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 Piasa, IL

This is one driving day of about 299.2 miles and 5h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Piasa, 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 224.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Normal, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

150 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

Springfield, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Normal, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 149.6 miles from Piasa, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 224.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Expensive mile 256.5

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

Pizza Ranch

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Springfield, Illinois

2.2 mi

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Oak Brook, Illinois

2.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukegan, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 299.2

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Expensive mile 256.5

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

Pizza Ranch

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 64.1

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12176798844

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Expensive mile 256.5

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

Simon's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 256.5

Villa Park, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16305300200

Visit website

Mai Thai Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv mile 256.5

Westmont, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16304554298

Visit website

Subway

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv mile 213.7

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18159262726

Visit website

Chatham Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 64.1

Chatham, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12176971101

Visit website

Dolce Restaurant & Wine Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $30 to $50 mile 256.5

Westmont, Illinois

Hours: 4–9 pm

+16306630401

Visit website

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 299.2

Waukegan, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 299.2

Gurnee, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 106.9

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12177354444

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 128.2

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 128.2

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 149.6

Lexington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18003658202

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 106.9

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333994638

Visit website

Circle K Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 128.2

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13098276755

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 256.5

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 100.5 and 294.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
100.5 mi into trip | ~2h 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
129.9 mi into trip | ~2h 31m 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
250.7 mi into trip | ~4h 46m 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
257.4 mi into trip | ~4h 56m 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
294.4 mi into trip | ~5h 41m 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

$46.78 one way

$93.55 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $51.36 $102.72
premium $4.89 $57.58 $115.16
diesel $5.61 $66.06 $132.12

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

$47

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 104.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 89.8 1 $31.42 $14.36
Efficient EV 74.8 0 $26.18 $11.97
EV Truck/SUV 119.7 1 $41.89 $19.15

Gas CO2

105 kg

EV CO2

35 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 17, 2026

Origin

Piasa, IL

Morning in Piasa on Sunday

Local time

9:38 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Morning in Waukegan on Sunday

Local time

9:38 AM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Widespread Fog

ESE 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 8:50PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 8:50PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA 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

32 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 50m 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.

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 72.2
View on nps.gov
Pullman National Historical Park

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...

18 mi from route ~45 min detour Free near mile 247.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive rather than an open highway experience. With 0% highway share, this route relies entirely on local roads like 8000N, West Railroad Street, and County Road 1200 N. There isn't a single longest uninterrupted stretch to highlight, indicating a continuous series of turns and changes in direction. This means you'll be actively engaged with the road, experiencing a constant shift in scenery and road conditions as you make your way across the state.

81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.1 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 100.5 miles in near I 55.

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 13 significant decision points across 299.2 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 100.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 250.7 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 Piasa, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

Peoria

129.9 mi in | ~2h 31m | via I 55

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 5h 50m. Total distance: 299.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 224.1 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.

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 100.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 250.7 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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 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.

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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