This 196-mile drive from Waukegan, Illinois, to Villa Grove, Illinois, is a straightforward journey through the Midwest that can easily be completed in about 4 hours and 6 minutes. With 79% of the route on highways, it's a profile that leans heavily towards efficient travel, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. Budget around $31 for fuel, and plan for at least one stop along the way. The primary roads you'll navigate include I-57 and the Edens Expressway, guiding you smoothly through the heart of Illinois. This trip offers a practical way to cover ground 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
98 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
117.8 mi
2h 11m
Edens Expressway
13.7 mi
17m
County Road 1600 East
13.6 mi
23m
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
I 74
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 117.8 mi, about 2h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Villa Grove, 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
118 mi·2 hr 11 min·I 57
Exit 63Toward I 57 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 240Toward Market Street
15
Turn left
96 ft·5 sec
16
Turn left onto Market Street
3.2 mi·4 min·Market Street
17
Turn right onto East Marketview Drive
0.3 mi·39 sec·East Marketview Drive
18
Turn left onto North Neil Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·North Neil Street
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
20
Merge onto I 74
3.5 mi·4 min·I 74
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·40 sec
Exit 185Toward IL 130: University Avenue
22
Continue on IL 130
0.4 mi·46 sec·IL 130
23
Turn left onto US 150; IL 130
1.2 mi·2 min·East University Avenue
24
Turn right onto IL 130
0.5 mi·56 sec·North High Cross Road
Use the right lane.
25
Continue on IL 130
0.9 mi·1 min·South High Cross Road
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on IL 130
5.6 mi·9 min·County Road 1600 East
27
Continue on IL 130
1.1 mi·1 min·North Lincoln Street
28
Continue on IL 130
8.1 mi·14 min·County Road 1600 East
29
Continue on IL 130
1.2 mi·2 min·North Sycamore Street
30
Turn right onto East Adams Street
496 ft·27 sec·East Adams Street
31
Turn left
68 ft·5 sec
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 6-minute duration, this 196-mile trip is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure, allowing for a flexible departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and ensure you have ample time for your one planned stop, which could be for fuel or a brief rest. With a fuel cost estimated at $31, it's an economical option. A helpful tip for this route is to be mindful of the 117.8-mile stretch on I-57; ensure you're fueled up and ready before entering this longer segment to maintain your momentum towards Villa Grove.
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 98 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.8 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 43 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98 miles or 2h 1m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Villa Grove, 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 196 miles and 4h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 117.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.1 and 172.5 — 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
168.8 mi into trip|~3h 20m in
Take the exit toward Market Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 240
Toward Market Street
5
172.5 mi into trip|~3h 26m in|North Neil Street
Turn left onto North Neil Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.64 one way
$61.28 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$33.64
$67.29
premium
$4.89
$37.72
$75.44
diesel
$5.61
$43.27
$86.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.8
0
$20.58
$9.41
Efficient EV
49
0
$17.15
$7.84
EV Truck/SUV
78.4
0
$27.44
$12.54
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Villa Grove, IL
Late night
in Villa Grove on Sunday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°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
9 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 6m 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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 196-mile trip, with 79% of your journey taking place on major roadways like I-57. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 117.8 miles on I-57, indicating long periods of consistent speed. While the route is predominantly highway, you'll also utilize sections of the Edens Expressway and County Road 1600 East, suggesting some variation in the immediate start and end points. This road's personality is geared towards covering distance efficiently rather than offering winding scenic byways.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.8 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Edens Expressway. You will hit about 19 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 196 miles you will encounter 19 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 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 6m. Total distance: 196 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 117.8 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 Villa Grove, 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 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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Villa Grove, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
