Saint Anne, IL to Waukegan, IL is 111.7 miles and takes about 2h 27m via I 57 and Edens Expressway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, making it a straightforward journey between two points in Illinois. It's a practical trip focused on efficient travel, primarily using major expressways. Consider this route if you need to get from point A to point B without extensive detours, as it prioritizes directness over scenic exploration. The estimated fuel cost of $17 makes it an economical option for a single-day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.9 miles from Saint Anne, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
46.7 mi
55m
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
South State Route 1
6.7 mi
9m
IL 17
5.8 mi
8m
Skokie Highway
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 46.7 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Anne, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on South Chicago Avenue
10 ft·5 sec·South Chicago Avenue
2
Turn left onto West Station Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Station Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto IL 1
396 ft·6 sec·North Dixie Highway
4
Continue on IL 1
6.7 mi·9 min·South State Route 1
5
Turn left onto IL 17
5.8 mi·8 min·IL 17
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward I-57 North: Chicago
7
Merge onto I 57
47 mi·55 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 94
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi·4 min·Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi·3 min·Skokie Valley Road
14
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi·10 min·South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward IL 120 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi·33 sec·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 relatively short duration of 2 hours and 27 minutes, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day. Leaving in the morning or mid-afternoon can help you avoid the heaviest commuter traffic, particularly on the Edens Expressway. With only one recommended day, you have plenty of flexibility to depart at your convenience. Since the longest stretch without a major change is 46.7 miles, plan for a brief stop around that point if you prefer to break up the driving, perhaps for a quick stretch or to refuel, though the $17 fuel cost suggests you won't need to fill up entirely. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you get closer to Waukegan.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55.9 miles from Saint Anne, IL, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.7 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 25 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.9 miles or 1h 11m 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
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 Saint Anne, 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 Saint Anne, IL
This is one driving day of about 111.7 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Saint Anne, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 46.7 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 108.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|IL 1 / North Dixie Highway
At end of road, turn right onto IL 1 / North Dixie Highway
Navigation decision point
5
13.4 mi into trip|~21m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
63.5 mi into trip|~1h 21m 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
93.1 mi into trip|~2h 2m 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
108.5 mi into trip|~2h 20m 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
$17.46 one way
$34.93 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.17
$38.35
premium
$4.89
$21.50
$42.99
diesel
$5.61
$24.66
$49.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.5
0
$11.73
$5.36
Efficient EV
27.9
0
$9.77
$4.47
EV Truck/SUV
44.7
0
$15.64
$7.15
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 16, 2026
Origin
Saint Anne, IL
Late night
in Saint Anne on Tuesday
Local time
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
5:24 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
14 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
2h 27m 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
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 83% of this route. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 46.7 miles on I 57, offering a consistent pace. As you transition to the Edens Expressway and then South Skokie Highway, the character remains largely that of a major arterial or expressway. This means you'll encounter higher traffic volumes, especially as you approach more urban areas, but the road infrastructure is designed for speed and efficiency. It’s a drive built for covering ground rather than enjoying leisurely cruising.
83% 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: 46.7 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Edens Expressway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near IL 1 / North Dixie Highway.
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 111.7 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 0.5 miles (IL 1 / North Dixie Highway): Navigation decision point; at 13.4 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.5 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 2h 27m. Total distance: 111.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.7 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (IL 1 / North Dixie Highway): Navigation decision point; at 13.4 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.5 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Waukegan, IL before heading back.
