Green Creek Rest Area - Southbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Waukegan, IL to Saline, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 26m
Distance
375.6 mi
604 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 16m
★
6 AM
7h 26m
8 AM
7h 47m
10 AM
7h 33m
12 PM
7h 31m
3 PM
7h 34m
5 PM
7h 46m
8 PM
7h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waukegan, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Saline, IL
Atlantic Ambience
Trip Overview
Waukegan, IL to Saline, IL is 375.6 miles and takes about 7h 26m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within Illinois, taking you from the Midwest's northern edge down toward its southern reaches. With a high percentage of highway driving, this route is designed for efficient travel. Consider this trip if you need a straightforward way to cover a significant distance within the state.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
187.8 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 39m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 266.5 mi | 4h 51m |
| Ken Gray Expressway | 37.4 mi | 40m |
| Edens Expressway | 13.7 mi | 17m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| West Deyoung Street | 7.8 mi | 11m |
| North Skokie Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Stonefort Road | 5.1 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 266.5 mi, about 4h 51m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,006 veh/hr typical · worst 1,239
Quietest
3 AM
~158 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Saline, 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 Express
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
201 mi
·
3 hr 40 min
·
I 57
Exit 63
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
37 mi
·
40 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
19
Merge onto IL 13
7.8 mi
·
11 min
·
West Deyoung Street
20
Turn right onto Crab Orchard Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Crab Orchard Road
21
Turn right onto Saraville Road
3.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Saraville Road
22
Keep slight left at fork onto Stonefort Road
5.1 mi
·
12 min
·
Stonefort Road
23
Continue on Will Scarlet Road
1.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Will Scarlet Road
24
Turn left onto Peabody Road
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Peabody Road
25
Arrive at destination
Peabody Road
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour driving time, starting early from Waukegan is recommended to maximize daylight. With only 2 recommended stops, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps one mid-morning and another for lunch. The longest stretch on I 57 is over 260 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. The $66 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, and keeping an eye on your gauge is wise, especially in more rural stretches. This trip is well-suited for a single day of driving, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider an overnight stop around the halfway point.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.8 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 3h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 266.5 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 83 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.8 miles or 3h 39m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saline, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Waukegan, IL
This is one driving day of about 375.6 miles and 7h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Waukegan, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 266.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
188 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 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 187.8 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 266.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Post Oak Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Post Oak Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Main Line Station Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Illini Prairie Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rend Lake Rest Area (I57-SB)
0.1 mi from route
Illini Prairie Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Rend Lake Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Green Creek Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Main Line Station Rest Area - Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Prairie View Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Prairie View Rest Area - Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Truckomat Truck Wash - Effingham
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Peotone Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.6 mi from route
Lake Forest Oasis
2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 4.1 and 355.3 — 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.
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
251.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 49m in
|
I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
6
355.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.45 one way
$124.89 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
131 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $68.02 | $136.04 |
| premium | $5.18 | $76.64 | $153.29 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $79.11 | $158.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.7 | 1 | $39.44 | $18.03 |
| Efficient EV | 93.9 | 1 | $32.87 | $15.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 150.2 | 1 | $52.58 | $24.04 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Origin
Waukegan, IL
Afternoon in Waukegan on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Chance Rain Showers
N 5 mph
22% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 10:38AM CDT until June 3 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Saline, IL
Afternoon in Saline on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 1 mph
33% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 10:38AM CDT until June 3 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 26m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 51.8
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway, with 90% of the 375.6 miles on major roads like I 57. You'll experience a long stretch of 266.5 miles on I 57, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate through various sections of the state. The transition to surface roads will occur later in the drive.
90% 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: 266.5 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 miles in near IL 137 / Buckley Road.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 375.6 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
751 ft
411 ft
Total Climb
195 ft
Total Descent
437 ft
Highest Point
751 ft
~161 mi in
Elevation Range
340 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 Saline, IL, road signs point toward Marion and Carbondale.
Marion
354.9 mi in
|
~6h 40m
Carbondale
354.9 mi in
|
~6h 40m
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
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 7h 26m. Total distance: 375.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 266.5 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 46 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Saline, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 46 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saline, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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