Origin
Sheridan, IL
Morning in Sheridan on Tuesday
Local time
8:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sheridan, IL to Waukegan, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 9m
Distance
95.6 mi
154 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 1m
★
6 AM
2h 10m
8 AM
2h 28m
10 AM
2h 16m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 17m
5 PM
2h 27m
8 PM
2h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sheridan, IL
Leyla Helvaci
Trip Overview
Sheridan, IL to Waukegan, IL is 95.6 miles and takes about 2h 9m via Tri-State Tollway and IL 56, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, making it a straightforward journey through the Midwest. The drive offers a mixed experience, combining tollway efficiency with state highway accessibility. It's a practical route for a single day, allowing ample time for your destination upon arrival. Consider this an easy option when you need to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.8 miles from Sheridan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Tollway | 35.2 mi | 43m |
| IL 56 | 24.8 mi | 30m |
| IL 71 | 10.3 mi | 14m |
| South Bridge Street | 7.2 mi | 12m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| North 41st Road | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| US 30 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Belvidere Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 35.2 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sheridan, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on CH 32
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Si Johnson Avenue
2
Continue on CH 32
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 41st Road
3
Continue on CH 32
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
County Highway 32
4
Continue on CH 32
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
North 41st Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto IL 71
10 mi
·
14 min
·
IL 71
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left onto South Bridge Street
7.2 mi
·
12 min
·
South Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 30; IL 47
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
US 30; IL 47
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward IL 56 East: Chicago
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto IL 56
25 mi
·
30 min
·
IL 56
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
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.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
13
Merge onto I 294
35 mi
·
43 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 11A
Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Belvidere Road
16
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
17
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 9 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You can afford to leave any time that suits your schedule. While the longest uninterrupted stretch is 35.2 miles on the Tri-State Tollway, you'll have opportunities to stop for fuel or a break before or after this segment if needed. The $15 fuel cost suggests that it's a budget-friendly trip, so keep your tank topped up, especially before hitting the tollway. A good tip is to check your GPS for real-time traffic conditions on the Tri-State Tollway before you depart, as it can significantly impact your arrival time.
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 47.8 miles from Sheridan, IL, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.2 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 21 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.8 miles or 1h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 45m
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 Sheridan, 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 Sheridan, IL
This is one driving day of about 95.6 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Sheridan, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 35.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 47.8 miles from Sheridan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 90.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
IL 71
At end of road, turn left onto IL 71
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
14.7 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
South Bridge Street
Turn left onto South Bridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
24.8 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward IL 56 East: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward IL 56 East: Chicago
8
54.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 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...
7
90.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 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
$14.95 one way
$29.89 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.41 | $32.82 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.40 | $36.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.11 | $42.21 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.39
Tri-state Tollway
(35.2 mi)
$2.11
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(4.7 mi)
$0.28
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
$15
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.7 | 0 | $10.04 | $4.59 |
| Efficient EV | 23.9 | 0 | $8.36 | $3.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.38 | $6.12 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Morning in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
8:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
WNW 20 mph
17% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 4:02AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 3:59AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago 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
22 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 9m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 52.8
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a mixed drive, with 41% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches of the Tri-State Tollway, including a significant 35.2-mile segment without significant interruptions. This part of the journey will likely feel fast-paced and direct. As you transition to roads like IL 56 and IL 71, the character of the drive will change, offering a different pace and potentially more local traffic. The overall feeling is one of efficient travel punctuated by shifts in road type.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.2 mi on Tri-State Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in near IL 71.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 95.6 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 4.5 miles (IL 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.7 miles (South Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.8 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sheridan, IL and Waukegan, IL, road signs point toward Rockford and Milwaukee.
Rockford
54.7 mi in
|
~1h 15m
Milwaukee
55.3 mi in
|
~1h 17m
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 2h 9m. Total distance: 95.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (41%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.2 miles on Tri-State Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.39 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.
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 4.5 miles (IL 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.7 miles (South Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
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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