Embarking from Robinson, Illinois, to Waukegan, Illinois, this 284.9-mile journey is best suited for a single day of driving, taking approximately 5 hours and 54 minutes. The route is predominantly focused on highway travel, with 85% of the drive utilizing major roads like I-57 and IL-130. With an estimated fuel cost of $45, this trip offers a straightforward path through the heart of the Midwest. You'll experience a consistent pace for most of the drive, making it a manageable trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
142.5 miles from Robinson, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
168.6 mi
3h 5m
IL 130
34.1 mi
50m
East 1050th Avenue
19 mi
28m
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi
17m
South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi
10m
Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi
11m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi
11m
Illinois Route 16
5.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 168.6 mi, about 3h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Robinson, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on Douglas Street
190 ft·15 sec·Douglas Street
2
Turn left onto IL 33
1.7 mi·3 min·East Main Street
3
Continue on IL 33
6.9 mi·10 min·East 1050th Avenue
4
Continue on IL 33
0.6 mi·57 sec·W Main St
5
Continue on IL 33
0.5 mi·44 sec·East Main Street
6
Continue on IL 33
12 mi·18 min·East 1050th Avenue
7
Turn right onto IL 130
34 mi·50 min·IL 130
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto IL 16
2.5 mi·4 min·Lincoln Avenue
9
Continue on IL 16
5.3 mi·7 min·Illinois Route 16
10
Continue on IL 16
0.4 mi·38 sec·Charleston Avenue East
11
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
12
Merge onto I 57
169 mi·3 hr 5 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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 RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 94
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi·4 min·Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi·3 min·Skokie Valley Road
19
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi·10 min·South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward IL 120 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi·33 sec·Belvidere Road
22
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
23
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
25
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 54-minute duration, starting your trip from Robinson, IL, in the morning is advisable to arrive in Waukegan with ample daylight. Plan for one main stop to break up the 284.9 miles, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 168.6-mile stretch on I-57 where services might be less frequent. The $45 fuel estimate should cover your needs, but it’s always wise to top off before heading out.
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 142.5 miles from Robinson, IL, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.6 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 63 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.5 miles or 3h 3m 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 44m
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 Robinson, 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 Robinson, IL
This is one driving day of about 284.9 miles and 5h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Robinson, 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 57 for about 168.6 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 64.7 and 283.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
64.7 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
236.7 mi into trip|~4h 48m 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
266.2 mi into trip|~5h 28m 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
281.7 mi into trip|~5h 47m 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
5
283.9 mi into trip|~5h 51m in|Glen Rock Avenue
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.54 one way
$89.08 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$48.90
$97.81
premium
$4.89
$54.83
$109.65
diesel
$5.61
$62.90
$125.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.5
1
$29.91
$13.68
Efficient EV
71.2
0
$24.93
$11.40
EV Truck/SUV
114
1
$39.89
$18.23
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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 18, 2026
Origin
Robinson, IL
Late night
in Robinson on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Cloudy
WNW 15 to 20 mph9% chanceLive 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
24 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 54m 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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 235.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is largely highway-focused, with 85% of the route comprising faster roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-57, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch of 168.6 miles. While there are some segments on IL-130 and East 1050th Avenue, the overall character remains that of a steady highway cruise. Expect consistent speeds and minimal slowdowns for most of the 5-hour and 54-minute duration, offering a predictable driving experience.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.6 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 130. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 64.7 miles in near I 57.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 284.9 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 64.7 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 236.7 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 266.2 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5h 54m. Total distance: 284.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 168.6 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 64.7 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 236.7 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 266.2 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 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.
