Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 23m
Distance
221.9 mi
357 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Long Creek, IL
Mahesh Mohan
Waukegan, IL to Long Creek, IL is 221.9 miles and takes about 4h 23m via I 57 and I 72, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within the Midwest, specifically across Illinois, on a predominantly highway-focused drive. It's a straightforward journey designed for efficiency, making it a solid choice if you need to cover ground without much fuss. Given its manageable length and straightforward path, it’s well-suited for a single-day excursion.
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
110.9 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 123.2 mi | 2h 17m |
| I 72 | 36.6 mi | 39m |
| Edens Expressway | 13.7 mi | 17m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| North Skokie Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| IL 48 | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| US 36 | 4.8 mi | 7m |
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Long Creek, IL.
Start on North Jackson Street
Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue
Turn right onto Belvidere Street
Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue
Turn right onto IL 137
Turn left onto US 41
Continue on US 41
Continue on US 41
Continue on I 94; US 41
Continue on I 90; I 94
Continue on I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
Take the exit
Merge onto I 72
Take the exit
Turn left onto IL 48
Turn left onto US 36; IL 121
Turn right onto South Widener Avenue
Turn right onto Gustin Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 4h 23m estimated drive time, departing in the morning from Waukegan should allow you to reach Long Creek with plenty of daylight. While the drive is under 5 hours, consider one stop for fuel and a break to break up the 123.2-mile stretch on I 57. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel levels as opportunities for service can be spaced out on the interstates. This is a route where you can afford to be flexible with your timing due to its relatively short duration.
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.
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 49 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.9 miles or 2h 15m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Long Creek, IL than in the middle of the route.
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 221.9 miles and 4h 23m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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.
A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 110.9 miles from Waukegan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 123.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.1 and 211.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto IL 137 / Buckley Road
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 72 West: Decatur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit toward IL 48: Oreana, Decatur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$34.69 one way
$69.38 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $38.09 | $76.18 |
| premium | $4.89 | $42.70 | $85.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.99 | $97.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.6 | 0 | $23.30 | $10.65 |
| Efficient EV | 55.5 | 0 | $19.42 | $8.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.8 | 1 | $31.07 | $14.20 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Waukegan on Saturday
Local time
11:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Widespread Fog
Destination
Night in Long Creek on Saturday
Local time
11:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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.
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 91% of the journey utilizing major interstates like I 57 and I 72. You'll experience long stretches of consistent driving, including one segment of 123.2 miles primarily on I 57, allowing for steady progress. The Edens Expressway will be part of your initial experience before transitioning to the interstates. Expect a consistent, efficient travel experience with minimal interruptions.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 72. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 miles in near IL 137 / Buckley Road.
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 221.9 miles you will encounter 13 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 4.1 miles (IL 137 / Buckley Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 221.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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