Connecting South Beloit to Waukegan, this 80.8-mile journey typically takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes to complete. Because the trip is relatively short, you can easily handle the transit in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $12 on fuel, making this a budget-friendly option for your Midwest travels. Your path primarily utilizes I-43, US-12, and West IL Route 173. Whether you are heading toward the lakefront or returning inland, the route offers a straightforward, highway-focused experience that serves as an efficient link between these two Illinois points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.4 miles from South Beloit, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 43
24.7 mi
26m
US 12
18 mi
20m
West IL Route 173
13.9 mi
21m
North Skokie Highway
7.4 mi
8m
Kenosha Road
3.7 mi
5m
Gateway Boulevard
2.8 mi
4m
Grand Avenue
2.8 mi
5m
Gardner Street
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 43
— 24.7 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Beloit, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on IL 75
1.9 mi·3 min·Gardner Street
2
Turn left onto Willow Brook Road
0.3 mi·46 sec·Willow Brook Road
3
Turn right onto County Highway P
0.4 mi·36 sec·State Line Road
4
Continue on CTH P
0.8 mi·1 min·County Highway P
5
Turn left onto Gateway Boulevard
2.8 mi·4 min·Gateway Boulevard
6
Turn right onto WI 81
0.2 mi·25 sec·State Highway 81
7
Continue on WI 81
0.6 mi·1 min·Millington Road
8
Enter roundabout onto CTH X
203 ft·3 sec·East Hart Road
9
Continue on CTH X
397 ft·6 sec·East Hart Road
10
Continue
0.5 mi·59 sec
11
Merge onto I 43
25 mi·26 min·I 43
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 27AToward US 12 East: Lake GenevaUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
14
Merge onto US 12
18 mi·20 min·US 12
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto IL 173
1.5 mi·2 min·Kenosha Street
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on IL 173
3.7 mi·5 min·Kenosha Road
17
Continue on IL 173
14 mi·21 min·West IL Route 173
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto US 41
7.4 mi·8 min·North Skokie Highway
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward IL 132: Grand AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
308 ft·10 sec
Toward IL 132 EastUse the left lane.
21
Turn straight onto IL 132
2.8 mi·5 min·Grand Avenue
Use the right lane.
22
Turn right onto North Jackson Street
0.3 mi·37 sec·North Jackson Street
23
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick trip under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for formal stops, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving South Beloit to ensure you stay within your $12 budget for the duration of the 80.8-mile drive. Because this route relies on a mix of I-43, US-12, and West IL Route 173, be prepared for potential shifts in traffic flow when transitioning between these different road types. Prioritize checking local traffic reports before you head out, as the highway-heavy nature of the trip means even minor congestion can impact your estimated arrival time in 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 40.4 miles from South Beloit, IL, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.7 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 18 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.4 miles or 50m 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 28m
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 South Beloit, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from South Beloit, IL
This is one driving day of about 80.8 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from South Beloit, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 43 for about 24.7 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.2 and 77.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
32.2 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward US 12 East: Lake Geneva
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 27A
Toward US 12 East: Lake Geneva
5
33.1 mi into trip|~42m in|US 12
Merge onto US 12
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
51 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|IL 173 / Kenosha Street
Turn left onto IL 173 / Kenosha Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
77.5 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward IL 132: Grand Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward IL 132: Grand Avenue
8
77.7 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 132 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward IL 132 East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.63 one way
$25.26 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.87
$27.74
premium
$4.89
$15.55
$31.10
diesel
$5.61
$17.84
$35.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.2
0
$8.48
$3.88
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.07
$3.23
EV Truck/SUV
32.3
0
$11.31
$5.17
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 18, 2026
Origin
South Beloit, IL
Morning
in South Beloit on Tuesday
Local time
8:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Morning
in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
8:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 to 20 mph100% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 9:46PM CDT until April 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 9:46PM CDT until April 17 at 10:30PM CDT by NWS Lincoln 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
20 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
1h 46m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive, as 70% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major corridors. The road transitions between different types of pavement, ensuring the trip doesn't feel like a monotonous, singular grind. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 24.7 miles while traveling on I-43, providing a steady rhythm for much of your journey. As you move across the state, the character of the road shifts from regional highway connectors to more integrated interstate travel. It is a functional, no-nonsense route designed for getting you from point A to point B with minimal complexity.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.7 mi on I 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and US 12. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.2 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.8 miles you will encounter 15 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 32.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.1 miles (US 12): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51 miles (IL 173 / Kenosha Street): 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 1h 46m. Total distance: 80.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24.7 miles on I 43. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.1 miles (US 12): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51 miles (IL 173 / Kenosha Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Waukegan, IL before heading back.
