Origin
Waukegan, IL
Night in Waukegan on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waukegan, IL to Westville, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 10m
Distance
186.1 mi
299 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 57m
★
6 AM
4h 10m
8 AM
4h 36m
10 AM
4h 19m
12 PM
4h 17m
3 PM
4h 21m
5 PM
4h 35m
8 PM
4h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Westville, IL
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This 186.1-mile drive from Waukegan, IL to Westville, IL is a solid one-day trip, taking about 4 hours and 10 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via Wicker Avenue, US 41, and SR 63, experiencing a mix of driving conditions. With a fuel cost estimated at $29, it's an economical journey through the Midwest. While there's one recommended stop, the longest stretch without a turn is nearly 59 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly. This route offers a straightforward travel experience, suitable for those looking for a direct path between these two Illinois locations.
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
93 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wicker Avenue | 58.8 mi | 1h 18m |
| US 41 | 21.6 mi | 26m |
| SR 63 | 18.1 mi | 23m |
| Edens Expressway | 13.7 mi | 17m |
| Bishop Ford Freeway | 10.8 mi | 14m |
| I 74 | 9.3 mi | 10m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
Wicker Avenue
— 58.8 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Westville, 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 left at fork onto I 94
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Bishop Ford Freeway
Toward I 94 East: Indiana
Use the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 94
Toward I 80 East, I 94 East: Indiana
Use the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 161
Toward US 6 West, IL 83: Torrence Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 161
Toward US 6 West, IL 83 West: Torrence Avenue
Use the slight left lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
502 ft
·
12 sec
Toward IL 83 South
18
Turn straight onto IL 83
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Torrence Avenue
19
Turn left onto IL 83
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Glenwood Dyer Road
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 30
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Lincoln Highway
21
Continue on US 30
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Joliet Street
22
Continue on US 30
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Lincoln Highway
23
Turn right onto US 41
59 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
Wicker Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
22 mi
·
26 min
·
US 41
25
Continue on SR 63
18 mi
·
23 min
·
SR 63
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 74 West
27
Merge onto I 74
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
I 74
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward US 150, IL 1
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward US 150 East, IL 1 South
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
Toward US 150 East, IL 1 South: Georgetown Road
31
Continue on US 150; IL 1
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Georgetown Road
32
Arrive at destination
US 150; IL 1
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 10-minute drive, departing in the morning is recommended to allow ample time for the 186.1 miles. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops, but remember the longest stretch is nearly 59 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on that longer section, and factor in the estimated $29 fuel cost. A good strategy is to take your planned stop about halfway through the drive to break up the journey and refresh before continuing to Westville, IL.
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 93 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.8 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 41 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93 miles or 2h 9m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Westville, 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 186.1 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 Wicker Avenue for about 58.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 93 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 42.2 and 63.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
7
51 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway toward I 94 East: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 94 East: Indiana
8
61.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
|
I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 80 East, I 94 East: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 80 East, I 94 East: Indiana
9
62.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 6 West, IL 83: Torrence Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 161
Toward US 6 West, IL 83: Torrence Avenue
9
63.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 6 West, IL 83 West: Torrence Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 161
Toward US 6 West, IL 83 West: Torrence Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.09 one way
$58.19 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.94 | $63.89 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.81 | $71.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.09 | $82.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.8 | 0 | $19.54 | $8.93 |
| Efficient EV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.28 | $7.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.05 | $11.91 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Westville, IL
Night in Westville on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
12 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
4h 10m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with about 50% of your journey on highways. You'll spend time on main arteries like Wicker Avenue, US 41, and SR 63, which can vary from faster-paced sections to more local road characteristics. The longest continuous segment you'll encounter is 58.8 miles on Wicker Avenue, so be prepared for an extended period on this particular road. The driving experience will shift as you progress, offering a varied feel rather than a monotonous interstate grind.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.8 mi on Wicker Avenue.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 42.2 miles in near I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express).
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 186.1 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 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 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Waukegan, IL
Full guide →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.
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 4h 10m. Total distance: 186.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.8 miles on Wicker Avenue. 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 Westville, 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 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 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Westville, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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