Spanning 205.5 miles across Illinois, this trek from Preemption to Waukegan typically takes about 4 hours and 4 minutes to complete. It is a straightforward journey that works perfectly as a single-day commitment, meaning you can easily reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Budgeting approximately $31 for fuel will keep your tank ready for the full distance. Since both the origin and destination are situated within the Midwest, you will stay within familiar regional terrain for the duration of the trip. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a manageable transit across the state.
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
102.7 miles from Preemption, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
95.7 mi
1h 46m
I 88
43.8 mi
46m
Tri-State Tollway
35.2 mi
43m
John Deere Road
12.8 mi
19m
US 67
8.1 mi
12m
Milan Beltway
3.8 mi
4m
Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
2m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 95.7 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Preemption, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on US 67
8.1 mi·12 min·US 67
2
Turn right onto CR 78
3.8 mi·4 min·Milan Beltway
3
Continue on IL 5
13 mi·19 min·John Deere Road
4
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 5; IL 92
0.3 mi·23 sec·IL 5; IL 92
5
Continue on I 88; IL 92
44 mi·46 min·I 88; IL 92
6
Continue on I 88; IL 110
91 mi·1 hr 40 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
4.7 mi·5 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 139Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, RockfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
10
Merge onto I 294
35 mi·43 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi·2 min·Belvidere Road
13
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
14
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
16
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Since this drive covers 205.5 miles in one sitting, plan to depart early to make the most of your time in Waukegan. You only need to build in one stop to keep your energy up, which provides enough flexibility to stretch your legs without significantly delaying your arrival. Keep in mind that the tollway segments may require electronic payment or specific toll transponders, so check your balance before you head out. Prioritize your $31 fuel budget by filling up at the start, as local road driving can sometimes be less fuel-efficient than consistent highway cruising. If you find the turn-heavy nature of the roads tiring, use your single designated stop to reset before tackling the final stretch toward the lakefront.
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 102.7 miles from Preemption, IL, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.7 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 45 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.7 miles or 2h 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 3h 16m
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 Preemption, 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 Preemption, IL
This is one driving day of about 205.5 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Preemption, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 95.7 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 159.8 and 200.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
159.8 mi into trip|~3h 4m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
164.6 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
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 139
Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rock...
6
165.2 mi into trip|~3h 12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International A...
5
165.4 mi into trip|~3h 12m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Merge onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
200.6 mi into trip|~3h 55m 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
$32.13 one way
$64.26 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$35.27
$70.55
premium
$4.89
$39.55
$79.09
diesel
$5.61
$45.37
$90.74
Estimated Tolls: $7.85
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(95.7 mi)$5.74
Tri-state Tollway
(35.2 mi)$2.11
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
$32
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.7
0
$21.58
$9.86
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$17.98
$8.22
EV Truck/SUV
82.2
1
$28.77
$13.15
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Preemption, IL
Late night
in Preemption on Tuesday
Local time
4:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
4:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
6 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 4m 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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 162.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route avoids long, uninterrupted highway stretches. You will navigate a variety of paths, utilizing the Milan Beltway, John Deere Road, and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway to bridge the gap between Preemption and Waukegan. Because this route has a 0% highway share, you should prepare for a more engaging experience behind the wheel that requires your full attention. The road's personality shifts as you transition from local connectors onto the tollway, creating a dynamic environment for the driver. Staying alert is key, as the mix of local roads and major thoroughfares keeps the pace varied throughout the four-hour duration.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.7 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 159.8 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 205.5 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 159.8 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 165.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Preemption, IL and Waukegan, IL, road signs point toward Rockford and Milwaukee.
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 4h 4m. Total distance: 205.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.7 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.85 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan Memorial 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 159.8 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 165.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Waukegan, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
