Waukegan, IL to Mount Carmel, IL is 326.1 miles and takes about 6h 49m via I 57 and County Road 1150, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Illinois from north to south. The route is primarily highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. With 70% of the drive on main roads, you can expect a relatively efficient transit between these two Illinois cities. Consider this a practical, no-frills option for getting from point A to point B.
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
163 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
168.9 mi
3h 6m
County Road 1150
24 mi
32m
Edens Expressway
13.7 mi
17m
North 1250th Street
13.3 mi
19m
South Van Buren Street
11 mi
15m
State Route 15
10.6 mi
15m
Route 130
10 mi
14m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 168.9 mi, about 3h 6m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~928 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,278
Quietest
2 AM
~107 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Mount Carmel, 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
0.3 mi·33 sec·Belvidere Street
4
Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue
2.9 mi·5 min·South Lewis Avenue
5
Turn right onto IL 137
1.1 mi·1 min·Buckley Road
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto US 41
5.6 mi·6 min·North Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi·3 min·Skokie Valley Road
8
Continue on US 41
3.8 mi·4 min·Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 94; US 41
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.1 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Continue on I 90; I 94
2.4 mi·2 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
8.8 mi·11 min·Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 ExpressUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
169 mi·3 hr 6 min·I 57
Exit 63Toward I 57 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 190AToward IL 16 East: Charleston
15
Turn straight onto IL 16
0.7 mi·1 min·Charleston Avenue East
16
Continue on IL 16
6.0 mi·8 min·Illinois Route 16
17
Continue on IL 16
1.8 mi·2 min·West Lincoln Avenue
18
Turn right onto IL 130
1.6 mi·2 min·18th Street
19
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·Illinois Route 130
20
Continue on IL 130
10.0 mi·14 min·Route 130
21
Continue on IL 130
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 1825 East
22
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·County Road 1775 E
23
Continue on IL 130
0.4 mi·32 sec·North Haughton Highway
24
Continue on IL 130
1.3 mi·1 min·1700E
25
Continue on IL 130
4.0 mi·5 min·North Haughton Highway
26
Continue on IL 130
2.1 mi·3 min·County Road 1700E
27
Continue on IL 130
13 mi·19 min·North 1250th Street
28
Turn left onto IL 130
11 mi·15 min·South Van Buren Street
29
Continue on IL 130
6.7 mi·9 min·County Road 1100 East
30
Continue on IL 130
2.5 mi·4 min·North West Street
31
Continue on IL 130
24 mi·32 min·County Road 1150
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn left onto IL 15
0.4 mi·38 sec·East Elm Street
33
Continue on IL 15
2.6 mi·3 min·900N
34
Continue on IL 15
0.2 mi·19 sec·910N
35
Continue on IL 15
0.6 mi·49 sec·920N
36
Continue on IL 15
0.6 mi·57 sec·Main Street
37
Continue on IL 15
11 mi·15 min·State Route 15
38
Continue on IL 15
1.3 mi·2 min·West 9th Street
39
Turn right onto North Market Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·North Market Street
40
Turn left onto East 5th Street
74 ft·3 sec·East 5th Street
41
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
For this 6 hour and 49 minute drive, leaving in the morning is advisable to allow ample daylight for the entire trip. While only one stop is officially noted, you might want to plan for a brief break, especially during the 168.9-mile stretch on I 57. The fuel cost is estimated at $52, so ensure your tank is full before departing Waukegan. Given the relatively short duration and predominantly highway profile, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as needed, but keep an eye on the transition points from interstates to county roads as you approach Mount Carmel.
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 163 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.9 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 72 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163 miles or 3h 12m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Carmel, 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 326.1 miles and 6h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 57 for about 168.9 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.1 and 219.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.1 mi into trip|~8m in|IL 137 / Buckley Road
Turn right onto IL 137 / Buckley Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
4
5.2 mi into trip|~10m in|US 41 / North Skokie Highway
Turn left onto US 41 / North Skokie Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
42.2 mi into trip|~56m in|I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
8
51 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|I 57
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 63
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
5
219.9 mi into trip|~4h 15m in
Take the exit toward IL 16 East: Charleston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 190A
Toward IL 16 East: Charleston
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.40 one way
$108.79 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$59.35
$118.71
premium
$5.25
$67.44
$134.88
diesel
$6.28
$80.57
$161.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.8
1
$34.24
$15.65
Efficient EV
81.5
0
$28.53
$13.04
EV Truck/SUV
130.4
1
$45.65
$20.87
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Waukegan, IL
Afternoon
in Waukegan on Thursday
Local time
3:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Mount Carmel, IL
Afternoon
in Mount Carmel on Thursday
Local time
3:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
47°F
Shelby, IN
163 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
3 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
6h 49m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 70% of the 326.1 miles on major roads like I 57. You'll encounter your longest stretch of uninterrupted driving for 168.9 miles on I 57. The transition to surface roads, like County Road 1150, will likely occur later in the drive. Expect a significant amount of cruising on interstates before you reach your destination.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.9 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and County Road 1150. 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.
Driving Effort6/10
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 326.1 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 5.2 miles (US 41 / North Skokie Highway): 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.
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.
Top landmarks
•Waukegan Public Library — library in Waukegan, Illinois, United States
•Waukegan Building — office building in Waukegan, Illinois, United States
•Hotel Waukegan — historic hotel in Waukegan, Illinois, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 49m. Total distance: 326.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 49m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 168.9 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 Mount Carmel, 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 4.1 miles (IL 137 / Buckley Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (US 41 / North Skokie Highway): 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.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mount Carmel, IL before the return drive.
