This 104.4-mile drive from Waukegan, IL to Otto, IL is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 11 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-57, the Edens Expressway, and the Dan Ryan Expressway, this route is heavily highway-focused, making it an efficient journey through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, it's a budget-friendly option for a quick getaway or a practical connection between these Illinois locations. The direct nature of this drive means you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained expressways.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.2 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
53.4 mi
1h 2m
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
Skokie Highway
3.8 mi
4m
Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi
3m
South Lewis Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 53.4 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Otto, 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
53 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 57
Exit 63Toward I 57 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
14
Arrive at destination
I 57
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 11-minute duration, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion. Consider departing in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially if you're starting on the Edens Expressway. With no designated stops in the data, you have flexibility to pull over as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch without a planned stop is over 53 miles. The estimated fuel cost of $16 is a good baseline for your budget, but it's always wise to factor in a little extra for unexpected detours or a quick break.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.2 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.4 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 23 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.2 miles or 1h 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 1h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Otto, 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 104.4 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Waukegan, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 53.4 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 51 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|Glen Rock Avenue
Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue
Navigation decision point
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.32 one way
$32.64 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.92
$35.84
premium
$4.89
$20.09
$40.18
diesel
$5.61
$23.05
$46.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.3
0
$10.96
$5.01
Efficient EV
26.1
0
$9.14
$4.18
EV Truck/SUV
41.8
0
$14.62
$6.68
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
3:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Otto, IL
Late night
in Otto on Tuesday
Local time
3:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°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
10 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 11m 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.
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?
Expect a highway-focused experience for 83% of this 104.4-mile route. You'll navigate through urban expressways like the Edens and Dan Ryan before transitioning to I-57. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 53.4 miles on I-57, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. While primarily interstate, the initial segments may involve heavier traffic before opening up.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.4 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Edens Expressway. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Glen Rock Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
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 104.4 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.5 miles (Glen Rock Avenue): Navigation decision point; 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.
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 2h 11m. Total distance: 104.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.4 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Glen Rock Avenue): Navigation decision point; 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.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Otto, IL before heading back.
