Waukegan, IL to Toledo, IL is 243.2 miles and takes about 4h 52m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, connecting two points in the Midwest region. With 89% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct route for your 1-day trip. This is a straightforward drive that should be easy to manage, even if you're not a seasoned road-tripper.
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
121.6 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
173.9 mi
3h 11m
Edens Expressway
13.7 mi
17m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi
11m
Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi
11m
IL 121
7.2 mi
12m
County Road 500 East
5.9 mi
10m
North Skokie Highway
5.6 mi
6m
Skokie Highway
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 173.9 mi, about 3h 11m
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
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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 Toledo, 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
174 mi·3 hr 11 min·I 57
Exit 63Toward I 57 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 184Toward US 45, IL 121: Mattoon, Toledo
15
Turn left onto US 45; IL 121
0.7 mi·1 min·Lakeland Boulevard
16
Continue on US 45; IL 121
478 ft·9 sec·Lake Land Boulevard
17
Continue on US 45; IL 121
1.9 mi·3 min·Route 45
18
Continue on US 45; IL 121
1.0 mi·1 min·County Road 500 E
19
Continue on US 45; IL 121
0.9 mi·1 min·County Road 000 N
20
Turn left onto IL 121
5.9 mi·10 min·County Road 500 East
21
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 121
7.2 mi·12 min·IL 121
22
Enter roundabout onto IL 121
0.1 mi·15 sec·East Main Street
23
Continue on IL 121
238 ft·10 sec·East Main Street
24
Turn left onto Indiana Street
311 ft·13 sec·Indiana Street
25
Arrive at destination
Indiana Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 52m drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. You can comfortably complete this trip in one day, so there's no need to plan for an overnight stay. Given the longest stretch of 173.9 miles on I 57, consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $38, and plan your last fuel stop before you transition off the interstate. The relatively short duration means you have flexibility in your departure time.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 121.6 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173.9 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 54 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.6 miles or 2h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Toledo, 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 243.2 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 173.9 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 242.9 — 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.
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
6
224.9 mi into trip|~4h 20m in
Take the exit toward US 45, IL 121: Mattoon, Toledo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 184
Toward US 45, IL 121: Mattoon, Toledo
6
242.9 mi into trip|~4h 52m in|IL 121 / East Main Street
Enter roundabout onto IL 121 / East Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.94 one way
$89.89 round trip
$4.69/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.33
$51.03
$102.07
premium
$5.88
$56.25
$112.50
diesel
$6.58
$62.98
$125.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73
0
$25.54
$11.67
Efficient EV
60.8
0
$21.28
$9.73
EV Truck/SUV
97.3
1
$34.05
$15.56
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Waukegan, IL
Morning
in Waukegan on Saturday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Scattered Rain Showers
NW 15 to 25 mph44% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 6:12AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:28AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Toledo, IL
Morning
in Toledo on Saturday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
8 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
4h 52m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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?
You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, with 89% of the 243.2 miles on highways like I 57. The longest continuous stretch on this route is 173.9 miles, all on I 57. Expect the highway portion to conclude around mile 216, transitioning to surface roads for the final leg into Toledo. Given the highway share, anticipate a steady pace with fewer interruptions until the end.
89% 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: 173.9 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Edens 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 243.2 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.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 52m. Total distance: 243.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 173.9 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 Toledo, 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. There are 25 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Toledo, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
