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Trip from Tilton, 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

4h 6m

Distance

206.2 mi

332 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
3h 53m ★
6 AM
4h 6m
8 AM
4h 33m
10 AM
4h 16m
12 PM
4h 13m
3 PM
4h 17m
5 PM
4h 31m
8 PM
3h 59m

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 Tilton, IL, IL

Tilton, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

This 206.2-mile drive from Tilton, IL, to Waukegan, IL, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 6 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing major interstates, the route has an 89% highway share, making it a straightforward, highway-focused journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, this trip is an economical option for a quick getaway or transit within Illinois. The Midwest regions of both your origin and destination mean you'll remain in familiar territory throughout. This route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for minimal disruption to your schedule.

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

103.1 miles from Tilton, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 117.8 mi 2h 11m
I 74 31.8 mi 34m
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
Skokie Highway 3.8 mi 4m
Skokie Valley Road 3.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 117.8 mi, about 2h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Central Avenue

85 ft · 6 sec · Central Avenue
2

Turn right onto Morrison Street

322 ft · 19 sec · Morrison Street
3

Turn left onto Glendale Avenue

0.2 mi · 54 sec · Glendale Avenue
4

Continue on South G Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South G Street
5

Turn left onto 1st Street

136 ft · 3 sec · 1st Street
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 11 sec
Toward I 74 West: Champaign
7

Merge onto I 74

32 mi · 34 min · I 74
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 182 Toward Neil Street
9

Keep slight right at fork onto North Neil Street

0.1 mi · 26 sec · North Neil Street
Use the right lane.
10

Turn right onto East Marketview Drive

0.3 mi · 37 sec · East Marketview Drive
11

At end of road, turn left onto North Market Street

3.0 mi · 4 min · North Market Street
12

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward I-57 North: Kankakee
13

Merge onto I 57

118 mi · 2 hr 11 min · I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on I 94

3.3 mi · 4 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

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 Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on I 90; I 94

8.2 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on I 94

14 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto US 41

3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on US 41

3.4 mi · 3 min · Skokie Valley Road
20

Continue on US 41

8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward IL 120 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Turn straight onto IL 120

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Belvidere Road
23

Continue on IL 120

1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
24

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
25

Turn left onto South Jackson Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Jackson Street
26

Arrive at destination

North Jackson Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour duration, departing from Tilton in the morning will allow you to reach Waukegan with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in choosing your break point, but consider the longest stretch of 117.8 miles on I-57 to plan your fuel and rest needs. The $32 fuel cost is quite manageable, so monitor your gauge, especially on the longer interstate segments. Starting early also helps you avoid potential traffic congestion as you get closer to the Waukegan area, particularly on the Edens Expressway.

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 103.1 miles from Tilton, IL, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.8 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 45 miles or 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 103.1 miles or 1h 58m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 16m

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 Tilton, 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 Tilton, IL

This is one driving day of about 206.2 miles and 4h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Tilton, 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 117.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Orland Park, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Orland Park, IL

103 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

Rantoul, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New Lenox, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 103.1 miles from Tilton, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 117.8 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 · final third

Han 202 Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chicago, Illinois

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third · 53min to go 1 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13129491314

Visit website

New Furama Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Chicago, Illinois

1.1 mi

Arcade Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Paxton, Illinois

1.3 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

The Well

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Manteno, Illinois

0.9 mi

Han 202 Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 1 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13129491314

Visit website

New Furama Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+13122256888

Visit website

Arcade Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Paxton, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12173793268

Nad Tatrami Polish Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

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

Monee, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17088855092

Visit website

Studious Hifi Coffee Shop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Blue Island, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+16123315934

Visit website

Triple Crown Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13128420088

Visit website

Asian bowl express

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Rantoul, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12172821215

Visit website

Red Wheel Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Rantoul, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12178930471

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

The Well

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Manteno, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+17795295090

Visit website

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

PD Coffee Shop

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Chicago, Illinois

Tesla Supercharger

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Urbana, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

+18668167584

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12175312800

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12173528910

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Blink Charging Station

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 203 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Morrison Street

Turn right onto Morrison Street

Navigation decision point

7
33.1 mi into trip | ~38m in | North Neil Street

Keep slight right at fork onto North Neil Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
8
157.9 mi into trip | ~3h 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
187.5 mi into trip | ~3h 41m 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
203 mi into trip | ~3h 59m 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

$32.24 one way

$64.47 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 72 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $35.39 $70.79
premium $4.89 $39.68 $79.36
diesel $5.61 $45.53 $91.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 72.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 61.9 0 $21.65 $9.90
Efficient EV 51.6 0 $18.04 $8.25
EV Truck/SUV 82.5 1 $28.87 $13.20

Gas CO2

72 kg

EV CO2

24 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 21, 2026

Origin

Tilton, IL

Morning in Tilton on Tuesday

Local time

10:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Morning in Waukegan on Tuesday

Local time

10:22 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

4 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 6m 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

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 ~9 min detour Free near mile 149.3
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 predominantly highway experience on this route, with 89% of the drive taking place on interstates. You'll encounter an uninterrupted stretch of 117.8 miles on I-57, offering a chance to maintain a steady pace. The main roads include I-57, I-74, and the Edens Expressway, indicating a transition to busier, urban-oriented highways as you approach your destination. This highway-focused profile suggests a practical, efficient drive rather than one filled with winding backroads or frequent scenic detours.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.8 mi on I 57.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Morrison Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 206.2 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: near the start (Morrison Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.1 miles (North Neil Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.9 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 4h 6m. Total distance: 206.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 117.8 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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: near the start (Morrison Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.1 miles (North Neil Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.9 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 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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