Origin
Waukegan, IL
Late night in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
4:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waukegan, IL to Madison, 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
6h 9m
Distance
322.8 mi
519 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 56m
★
6 AM
6h 9m
8 AM
6h 35m
10 AM
6h 18m
12 PM
6h 16m
3 PM
6h 19m
5 PM
6h 34m
8 PM
6h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Madison, IL
Samual lim
Trip Overview
Waukegan, IL to Madison, IL is 322.8 miles and takes about 6h 9m via I 55, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a predominantly highway experience for most of your travel. It's a straightforward drive, suitable for a single day trip with minimal planning needed beyond checking traffic. This trip is ideal if you need to cover ground efficiently between these two points in Illinois.
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
161.4 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 137.7 mi | 2h 28m |
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 119.4 mi | 2h 13m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 42.6 mi | 51m |
| I 270 | 8.1 mi | 9m |
| State Route 162 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| IL 111 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Edwardsville Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Belvidere Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 137.7 mi, about 2h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Madison, 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'Hare
Use 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 23
Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Use 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, Springfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
73 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 20B
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 270
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
I 270
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 6B
Toward IL 111 North: Wood River
18
Keep slight left at fork
158 ft
·
4 sec
19
Turn left onto IL 111
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
IL 111
20
Turn right onto IL 162
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
State Route 162
21
Continue on IL 162
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Edwardsville Road
22
Turn left onto IL 203
399 ft
·
7 sec
·
Mc Cambridge Avenue
23
Turn right onto Rhodes Street
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
Rhodes Street
24
Turn right onto 6th Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Street
25
Arrive at destination
6th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour duration, starting your drive in Waukegan, IL early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. The longest stretch without a major exit opportunity is 137.7 miles on I 55, so ensure you have adequate fuel before entering this segment. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on the $50 fuel cost estimate and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before that long stretch on I 55. This is a manageable one-day trip, so you can adjust your departure time slightly based on your schedule.
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 161.4 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 3h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.7 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 71 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.4 miles or 3h 9m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madison, 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 322.8 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 137.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 161.4 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 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 137.7 miles.
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 205 decision points cluster between mile 18.9 and 305.8 — 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
6
46.4 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
305.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 20B
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.47 one way
$100.93 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
113 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $55.41 | $110.82 |
| premium | $4.89 | $62.12 | $124.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $71.27 | $142.54 |
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
$50
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: 112.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.8 | 1 | $33.89 | $15.49 |
| Efficient EV | 80.7 | 0 | $28.24 | $12.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 129.1 | 1 | $45.19 | $20.66 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Madison, IL
Late night in Madison on Tuesday
Local time
4:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Bloomington, IL
161 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
15 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 84% of the 322.8 miles on major roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 137.7 miles on I 55, indicating sustained highway cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur later in the trip. Be prepared for frequent exits and merges as you navigate the highway system for the majority of this 6-hour drive.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 137.7 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 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 20 significant decision points across 322.8 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 46.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Waukegan, IL and Madison, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, St. Louis and Springfield.
O'hare
18.9 mi in
|
~25m
|
via I 294
St. Louis
47.6 mi in
|
~1h 1m
Springfield
168.1 mi in
|
~3h 16m
|
via I 55
About the Cities
Starting 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 6h 9m. Total distance: 322.8 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 137.7 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 Madison, 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 46.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Madison, IL before the return drive.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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