Origin
Waukegan, IL
Afternoon in Waukegan on Friday
Local time
12:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waukegan, IL to Oneco, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 39m
Distance
117.5 mi
189 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 29m
★
6 AM
2h 40m
8 AM
3h 1m
10 AM
2h 47m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
3h 0m
8 PM
2h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waukegan, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Oneco, IL
Antonio Garcia Prats
Trip Overview
The drive from Waukegan, IL to Oneco, IL covers 117.5 miles and takes about 2h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 43, US 12, Town Center Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 25.1 miles on I 43. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.22 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
58.7 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 43 | 25.1 mi | 26m |
| US 12 | 16.5 mi | 18m |
| Town Center Road | 15 mi | 20m |
| Rosecrans Road | 13.9 mi | 21m |
| Skokie Highway | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 81 | 7.1 mi | 9m |
| West Beloit Newark Road | 5.6 mi | 9m |
| East Liberty Avenue | 4.6 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 43
— 25.1 mi, about 26m
Traffic on I-43
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,039 veh/hr typical · worst 1,312
Quietest
1 AM
~61 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 102 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 Oneco, IL.
1
Start on North Jackson Street
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
North Jackson Street
2
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Grand Avenue
3
Take the ramp
499 ft
·
13 sec
Toward US 41 North: Milwaukee
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward US 41 North
5
Merge onto US 41
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Skokie Highway
6
Turn left onto IL 173
14 mi
·
21 min
·
Rosecrans Road
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on IL 173
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Kenosha Road
8
Continue on IL 173
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Kenosha Street
9
Turn right onto US 12
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
Use the right lane.
10
Take the exit onto US 12
17 mi
·
18 min
·
US 12
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 321
Toward I 43, CTH NN: Beloit, Milwaukee
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 43: Milwaukee, Beloit
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 43 South: Delavan, Beloit
15
Merge onto I 43
25 mi
·
26 min
·
I 43
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 2
Toward CTH X: Hart Road
17
Keep slight right at fork
270 ft
·
6 sec
18
Turn straight onto East Hart Road
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
East Hart Road
19
At end of road, turn left onto CTH S
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Shopiere Road
20
Continue on Henry Avenue
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Henry Avenue
21
Continue on Maple Avenue
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Maple Avenue
22
At end of road, turn left onto 6th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Street
23
Turn right onto WI 81; WI 213
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
East Liberty Avenue
24
Continue on WI 81
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 81
25
Turn left onto West Beloit Newark Road
5.6 mi
·
9 min
·
West Beloit Newark Road
26
Continue on Town Center Road
15 mi
·
20 min
·
Town Center Road
27
Turn left onto WI 69
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 69
28
Continue on IL 26
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 26
29
Turn left onto Illinois Route 26
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Illinois Route 26
30
Arrive at destination
Illinois Route 26
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 58.7 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.1 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 26 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.7 miles or 1h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oneco, 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 117.5 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 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 43 for about 25.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.7 miles from Waukegan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 3.1 and 48.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 41 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 41 North
6
29.8 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
US 12 / Main Street
Turn right onto US 12 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
47.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 43, CTH NN: Beloit, Milwaukee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 321
Toward I 43, CTH NN: Beloit, Milwaukee
6
47.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 43: Milwaukee, Beloit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 43: Milwaukee, Beloit
7
48.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 43 South: Delavan, Beloit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 43 South: Delavan, Beloit
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.22 one way
$36.43 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $19.98 | $39.95 |
| premium | $4.93 | $22.80 | $45.59 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $25.90 | $51.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.3 | 0 | $12.34 | $5.64 |
| Efficient EV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.28 | $4.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47 | 0 | $16.45 | $7.52 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Oneco, IL
Afternoon in Oneco on Friday
Local time
12:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
2 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
2h 39m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
117.5 mi in 2h 39m — 45% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: I 43.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 25.1 mi on I 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.
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 117.5 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 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 29.8 miles (US 12 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 47.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
955 ft
654 ft
Total Climb
461 ft
Total Descent
271 ft
Highest Point
955 ft
~50.3 mi in
Elevation Range
301 ft
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 Oneco, IL, road signs point toward Cth Nn: Beloit, Milwaukee and Beloit.
Cth Nn: Beloit
47.7 mi in
|
~1h 4m
Milwaukee
47.7 mi in
|
~1h 4m
Beloit
47.8 mi in
|
~1h 4m
About the Cities
Starting in Waukegan, IL
Full guide →Founded 1859
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
- • Waukegan Building — office building in Waukegan, Illinois, United States
- • Hotel Waukegan — historic hotel in Waukegan, Illinois, USA
Arriving in Oneco, IL
Full guide →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 2h 39m. Total distance: 117.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 25.1 miles on I 43. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Oneco, 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 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 29.8 miles (US 12 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 47.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Oneco, IL before heading back.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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