Trip from Albion, IL to Waukegan, IL

Drive Time

6h 25m

Distance

309.5 mi

Route Type

Turn-heavy local drive

Long day trip

Trip Overview

The drive from Albion, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 309.5 miles and takes about 6h 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on South West Street, County Road 1100 East, South Van Buren Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.95 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

154.8 miles from Albion, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day.

Drive Character

Expect a 6h 25m drive with frequent turns across 309.5 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

South West Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
South West Street	0 mi	0m
County Road 1100 East	0 mi	0m
South Van Buren Street	0 mi	0m
Lincoln Avenue	0 mi	0m
Route 16	0 mi	0m
Charleston Avenue East	0 mi	0m
I-57 North	0 mi	0m
Dan Ryan Expressway	0 mi	0m

Longest stretch: South West Street — 0 mi, about 0m

Step-by-Step Directions

1

Start on 500E

2

Continue on South West Street

3

Continue on County Road 1100 East

4

Continue on South Van Buren Street

5

Turn right

6

Turn left onto Lincoln Avenue

7

Continue on Illinois Route 16

8

Continue on Charleston Avenue East

9

Take the ramp slight right toward I-57 North: Champaign

10

Merge slight left

11

Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

12

Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

13

Continue on Kennedy Expressway

14

Continue on Edens Expressway

15

Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway

16

Continue on Skokie Valley Road

17

Continue on South Skokie Highway

18

Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East

19

Turn straight onto Belvidere Road

20

Continue on Belvidere Street

21

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

22

Turn left onto South Jackson Street

23

Arrive at your destination

When to Leave

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 154.8 miles from Albion, IL.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Drive Plan

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 154.8 miles

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Last hour of driving

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 Albion, 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.

Trip Strategy

Day 1

Settle into the route from Albion, IL

This is one driving day of about 309.5 miles and 6h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Albion, 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.

Best Stop Towns on This Route

These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.

Late stop town

Meal stop

Atwood, IL

155 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.

Travel Advice

Arrival Notes

The final approach into Waukegan, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Waukegan, 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.

Stops Along the Way

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 154.8 mi from Albion, IL

Arcola, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Atwood, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 154.8 miles from Albion, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions for the drive, so the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
regular	$3.77	$45.95	$91.90
midgrade	$4.25	$51.82	$103.65
premium	$4.65	$56.71	$113.42
diesel	$5.30	$64.63	$129.26

Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 108.3 kg one way.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Albion, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 309.5 miles and takes about 6h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are South West Street, County Road 1100 East, South Van Buren Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 154.8 miles from Albion, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.95 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.