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Trip from Prophetstown, IL to Waukegan, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 9m

Distance

160.3 mi

258 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 58m ★
6 AM
3h 9m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 15m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 2m

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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Downtown Prophetstown, IL, IL

Prophetstown, IL

Sergei Starostin

Trip Overview

This 160.3-mile drive from Prophetstown, IL, to Waukegan, IL, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 9 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and the Tri-State Tollway, with no significant highway share, suggesting a more localized feel. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, this Midwest journey is quite budget-friendly. The route is characterized by its frequent turns, indicating a need for attentive driving. Considering its length and duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your schedule and ample time to reach your destination.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

80.2 miles from Prophetstown, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 95.7 mi 1h 46m
Tri-State Tollway 35.2 mi 43m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway 17.8 mi 19m
Crosby Road 2.6 mi 3m
Bishop Road 2.6 mi 3m
Belvidere Road 1.9 mi 2m
Belvidere Street 1.6 mi 3m
South Jackson Street 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway — 95.7 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on IL 78

292 ft · 11 sec · Washington Street
2

Turn left onto IL 78

0.3 mi · 26 sec · West 2nd Street
3

Continue on IL 78

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Johnson Drive
4

Continue on IL 78

2.6 mi · 3 min · Bishop Road
5

At end of road, turn left onto IL 78

2.6 mi · 3 min · Crosby Road
6

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec
7

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

18 mi · 19 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
8

Continue on I 88; IL 110

91 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

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.
10

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 139 Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
12

Merge onto I 294

35 mi · 43 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 11A Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn straight onto IL 120

1.9 mi · 2 min · Belvidere Road
15

Continue on IL 120

1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
16

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
17

Turn left onto South Jackson Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Jackson Street
18

Arrive at destination

North Jackson Street

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 9-minute duration, departing in the morning will allow you to reach Waukegan with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of around $25, this trip is straightforward to plan. Pay close attention to the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route; using a reliable GPS is advised to navigate the frequent directional changes smoothly. Since this is a relatively short and direct trip, you have the flexibility to leave when it's most convenient for you.

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 80.2 miles from Prophetstown, IL, or about 1h 31m 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 35 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 80.2 miles or 1h 31m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 30m

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 Prophetstown, 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 Prophetstown, IL

This is one driving day of about 160.3 miles and 3h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Prophetstown, 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Naperville, IL

80 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

Polo, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Aurora, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.2 miles from Prophetstown, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.7 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Prophet Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Prophetstown, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18155379959

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Downers Grove, Illinois

1.5 mi

A2B Indian Veg Restaurant - Illinois

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Warrenville, Illinois

1.9 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukegan, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Coffee Crush

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dixon, Illinois

2.1 mi

Flip Side Coffee & Espresso Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rock Falls, Illinois

2.9 mi

Prophet Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Prophetstown, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18155379959

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Downers Grove, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13312159463

Visit website

A2B Indian Veg Restaurant - Illinois

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Warrenville, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+16307918800

Visit website

Lil' Smoked Bar + Grill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Dixon, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18156779867

Visit website

Rock Falls Candlelight

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Rock Falls, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18156261897

Visit website

Mary's Diner

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Dixon, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–2:30 pm

+18159944961

Cafe Mirage

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Schiller Park, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18476782614

Visit website

Luna

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Rochelle, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18155612727

Visit website

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Waukegan, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Coffee Crush

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Dixon, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+18153455909

Visit website

Flip Side Coffee & Espresso Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Rock Falls, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+18157180022

Air Play Espresso and Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Sterling, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18155854327

Visit website

Hansa Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Libertyville, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18472268815

Visit website

The Speakeasy at La Bella Notte

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Rock Falls, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm

+18157168559

Sammy's Slots Video & Gaming Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Rock Falls, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–1 pm

+18157168318

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10

Gurnee, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

Visit website

Flight Deck A Global Inspired Pub

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Rochelle, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18155613664

Visit website

Rooney's

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Franklin Grove, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+18154562590

Visit website

Lisa's Brick House Bar & Grill

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Sterling, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+18155905472

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

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 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 155.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | IL 78 / West 2nd Street

Turn left onto IL 78 / West 2nd Street

Navigation decision point

6
114.7 mi into trip | ~2h 9m 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
119.4 mi into trip | ~2h 15m 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
120 mi into trip | ~2h 16m 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...
7
155.5 mi into trip | ~3h 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

$25.06 one way

$50.12 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $27.52 $55.03
premium $4.89 $30.85 $61.70
diesel $5.61 $35.39 $70.78

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

$25

Tolls

$8

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.1 0 $16.83 $7.69
Efficient EV 40.1 0 $14.03 $6.41
EV Truck/SUV 64.1 0 $22.44 $10.26

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (66% 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

Prophetstown, IL

Morning in Prophetstown on Tuesday

Local time

8:49 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Morning in Waukegan on Tuesday

Local time

8:49 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

5 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

3h 9m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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

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...

21 mi from route ~53 min detour Free near mile 121.6
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, rather than a monotonous interstate grind. While there's a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 95.7 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, the overall profile suggests a dynamic driving experience with frequent directional changes. The absence of a significant highway share further emphasizes the local character of this trip. You'll likely experience a variety of road types as you make your way from Prophetstown to Waukegan, requiring you to stay engaged behind the wheel.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 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 0.1 miles in near IL 78 / West 2nd Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 160.3 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 0.1 miles (IL 78 / West 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 114.7 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 119.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

Between Prophetstown, IL and Waukegan, IL, road signs point toward Rockford and Milwaukee.

Rockford

119.4 mi in | ~2h 15m

Milwaukee

120 mi in | ~2h 16m

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 3h 9m. Total distance: 160.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 9m 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 0.1 miles (IL 78 / West 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 114.7 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 119.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 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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