Waukegan to Alorton is 324.6 miles and takes about 6h 9m via I 55, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward trip without crossing state lines. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a good option for a single-day transit, especially if you prefer to cover ground efficiently. Plan for a day where you can depart with enough time to reach your destination comfortably before evening.
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
162.3 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
146.8 mi
2h 38m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119.4 mi
2h 13m
Tri-State Tollway
42.6 mi
51m
I 255
7 mi
8m
Belvidere Road
2.2 mi
3m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
New Missouri Avenue
0.6 mi
<1m
North Jackson Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 146.8 mi, about 2h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Alorton, IL.
1
Start on North Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Jackson Street
2
Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
3
Turn right onto Belvidere Street
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
4
Continue on IL 120
2.2 mi·3 min·Belvidere Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
6
Merge onto I 94
14 mi·15 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
23 mi·28 min·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'HareUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 23Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 55
119 mi·2 hr 13 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 10Toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270
16
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward I 255 South: Memphis
17
Merge onto I 255
7.0 mi·8 min·I 255
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 17BToward IL 15 West: Missouri Avenue, East Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto IL 15
0.6 mi·51 sec·New Missouri Avenue
20
Turn left onto IL 163
492 ft·22 sec·Old Missouri Avenue
21
Turn right onto North 42nd Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·North 42nd Street
22
Turn left onto East Broadway
19 ft·0 sec·East Broadway
23
Arrive at destination
East Broadway
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider leaving Waukegan in the morning to avoid peak traffic. With a single recommended day for this trip, you can choose to drive straight through or plan for one brief stop for fuel and a stretch. The longest stretch is 146.8 miles, so keeping an eye on your fuel gauge before embarking on that segment is a good idea. The estimated fuel cost is $51, so budget accordingly. Since this is a relatively short, highway-focused trip, flexibility is key, allowing you to adjust your stop timing as needed.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.3 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.8 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 71 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.3 miles or 3h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alorton, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Waukegan, 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 Waukegan, IL
This is one driving day of about 324.6 miles and 6h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Waukegan, 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 55 for about 146.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.9 and 323.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
18.9 mi into trip|~25m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
7
48.3 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
168.1 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
7
232.9 mi into trip|~4h 27m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
323.3 mi into trip|~6h 6m in
Take the exit toward IL 15 West: Missouri Avenue, East Saint Louis
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 17B
Toward IL 15 West: Missouri Avenue, East Saint...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.75 one way
$101.50 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$55.72
$111.44
premium
$4.89
$62.47
$124.93
diesel
$5.61
$71.67
$143.34
Estimated Tolls: $2.55
Tri-state Tollway
(42.6 mi)$2.55
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
$51
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.4
1
$34.08
$15.58
Efficient EV
81.2
0
$28.40
$12.98
EV Truck/SUV
129.8
1
$45.44
$20.77
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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 15, 2026
Origin
Waukegan, IL
Morning
in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alorton, IL
Morning
in Alorton on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
162 mi in
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
18 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
6h 9m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 an 84% highway experience on this 324.6-mile drive, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 146.8 miles on I 55, offering a chance for steady cruising. You'll transition from highway to surface roads towards the end of your trip, likely encountering more local traffic and varied speed limits as you approach Alorton. Be prepared for a significant amount of controlled-access driving.
84% 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: 146.8 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.9 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 324.6 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 18.9 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Waukegan, IL and Alorton, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, St. Louis and Springfield.
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 6h 9m. Total distance: 324.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 146.8 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.55 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.
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 Alorton, 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: at 18.9 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alorton, IL before the return drive.
