Waukegan, IL to Yorkville, IL is 80.2 miles and takes about 1h 45m via Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you through the Midwest, staying within Illinois. Expect a drive that involves frequent turns as you navigate local roads in addition to tollways. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this is a straightforward same-day excursion. It's a practical option for a quick regional drive without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.1 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Tri-State Tollway
35.5 mi
44m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
25.8 mi
31m
North Bridge Street
5.7 mi
9m
IL 56
4.2 mi
5m
United States Route 30
2.8 mi
3m
Belvidere Road
2.2 mi
3m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
North Jackson Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 35.5 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Yorkville, 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
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
4
Continue on IL 120
2.2 mi·3 min·Belvidere Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
6
Merge onto I 94
14 mi·15 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
20 mi·25 min·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'HareUse the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit onto I 294
1.0 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, IndianaUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
0.2 mi·30 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, IndianaUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 294
0.4 mi·47 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15AToward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Exit 31AToward I 88 West Toll: AuroraUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
0.8 mi·59 sec·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
25 mi·30 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 56
4.2 mi·5 min·IL 56
Exit 113Toward IL 56 West: Sugar GroveUse the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward US 30 East, IL 47: Sugar Grove, ElburnUse the right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward IL 47 South, US 30 East: Sugar GroveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto IL 47
0.2 mi·18 sec·Illinois Route 47
18
Continue on US 30; IL 47
2.8 mi·3 min·United States Route 30
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on North Bridge Street
5.7 mi·9 min·North Bridge Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
South Bridge Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under two hours, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. Aim to depart in the morning to make the most of daylight, especially since the route involves local roads where visibility and traffic can vary. You won't need to worry about extensive stop pacing; however, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, with an estimated cost of $13 for gas. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 35.5 miles, so plan for a brief stop around then if needed for a stretch or to adjust navigation. Pay attention to signage as you transition from the Tri-State Tollway onto local roads to ensure you don't miss any turns.
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 40.1 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.5 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.1 miles or 52m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yorkville, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Waukegan, IL
This is one driving day of about 80.2 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Waukegan, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 35.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.9 and 71.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
18.9 mi into trip|~25m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
8
40 mi into trip|~52m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
8
40.6 mi into trip|~54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31A
Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
8
41.8 mi into trip|~55m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
9
71.3 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 47 South, US 30 East: Sugar Grove
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward IL 47 South, US 30 East: Sugar Grove
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.54 one way
$25.08 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.77
$27.53
premium
$4.89
$15.43
$30.87
diesel
$5.61
$17.71
$35.41
Estimated Tolls: $3.68
Tri-state Tollway
(35.5 mi)$2.13
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(25.8 mi)$1.55
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.1
0
$8.42
$3.85
Efficient EV
20.1
0
$7.02
$3.21
EV Truck/SUV
32.1
0
$11.23
$5.13
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 18, 2026
Origin
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Cloudy
WNW 15 to 20 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:50AM CDT until April 21 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:48AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Yorkville, IL
Late night
in Yorkville on Sunday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°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
19 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
1h 45m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 41.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, suggesting a route that weaves through communities rather than sticking solely to high-speed highways. With only a 9% highway share, you'll spend most of your time on local roads. The longest stretch on a single road is 35.5 miles on the Tri-State Tollway, indicating a significant portion of the journey will be on this main artery before transitioning to more intricate local navigation. Be prepared for frequent adjustments in direction as you make your way to Yorkville.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.5 mi on Tri-State Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.9 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.2 miles you will encounter 15 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 18.9 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Yorkville, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, Indiana, 22Nd Street (Cermak Road) and Elburn.
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 1h 45m. Total distance: 80.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.5 miles on Tri-State Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.68 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Yorkville, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.9 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.6 miles: 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Yorkville, IL before heading back.
