Driving from Wyoming to Waukegan covers approximately 186.2 miles across the Midwest, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 49 minutes. You will navigate a mix of local roads like West Main Street before transitioning onto I-55 North and I-294. Given the duration, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $28 on fuel for the one-way trip. Since you will only need one planned stop to keep things comfortable, this route offers a straightforward transition between these two Illinois locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
93.1 miles from Wyoming, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
81.3 mi
1h 27m
Tri-State Tollway
41.8 mi
50m
I 55
26.6 mi
32m
IL 40
21.5 mi
32m
IL 17
6.6 mi
9m
Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
2m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
West Main Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 81.3 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wyoming, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on IL 91
41 ft·0 sec·South 7th Street
2
Turn straight onto IL 17
6.6 mi·9 min·IL 17
3
Turn left onto IL 40
7.0 mi·10 min·IL 40
4
Turn left onto IL 40
1.0 mi·1 min·West Main Street
5
Turn right onto IL 40
15 mi·21 min·IL 40
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
7
Merge onto I 80
81 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 126BToward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 55
27 mi·32 min·I 55
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
12
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi·45 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi·2 min·Belvidere Road
16
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
17
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Plan to depart early to account for the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, which can be more time-consuming than standard highway driving. Since the total transit time is under four hours, you have the flexibility to make your single stop whenever you feel it best suits your energy levels. Keep a close eye on your navigation through the local segments, as the transition between West Main Street and the larger interstates requires precision. Because the estimated fuel cost is around $28, filling up before you leave Wyoming ensures you have a predictable budget for the day. Use the one-stop allowance to stretch your legs, as the continuous turns can be more fatiguing than a steady interstate cruise.
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 93.1 miles from Wyoming, IL, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.3 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 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.1 miles or 1h 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 3h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waukegan, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wyoming, 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 Wyoming, IL
This is one driving day of about 186.2 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Wyoming, 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 80 for about 81.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
4.6 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 53.2
DePue, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+18154472198
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 29.4 and 181.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
29.4 mi into trip|~44m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
110.7 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
7
137.6 mi into trip|~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
6
144.4 mi into trip|~2h 55m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
181.4 mi into trip|~3h 40m in
Take the exit toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 11A
Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.11 one way
$58.22 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$31.96
$63.92
premium
$4.89
$35.83
$71.67
diesel
$5.61
$41.11
$82.22
Estimated Tolls: $2.51
Tri-state Tollway
(41.8 mi)$2.51
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
$29
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
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
55.9
0
$19.55
$8.94
Efficient EV
46.6
0
$16.29
$7.45
EV Truck/SUV
74.5
0
$26.07
$11.92
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.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Wyoming, IL
Late night
in Wyoming on Sunday
Local time
5:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
5:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Cloudy
WSW 15 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
14 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
3h 49m 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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 141.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 186.2-mile journey is best described as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate haul. You will spend your time navigating off the main highway system, requiring you to stay alert through numerous turns and transitions. While the path utilizes segments of I-55 North and I-294, the route maintains a zero-percent highway share, emphasizing the technical nature of the local road segments. Expect a dynamic driving experience where the road changes frequently, demanding your full attention as you move away from the smaller roads of Wyoming toward the destination.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.3 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.4 miles in near I 80.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 186.2 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 29.4 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 110.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 3h 49m. Total distance: 186.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.3 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.51 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.
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 Waukegan, 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 29.4 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 110.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Waukegan, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
