Trip from Albion, IL to Waukegan, IL

Drive Time

6h 25m

Distance

309.5 mi

498 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

6h 13m ★

6 AM

6h 25m

8 AM

6h 50m

10 AM

6h 34m

12 PM

6h 31m

3 PM

6h 35m

5 PM

6h 49m

8 PM

6h 18m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Albion, IL

Mike Tyurin

Trip Overview

Spanning 309.5 miles across Illinois, this trek from Albion to Waukegan takes approximately 6 hours and 25 minutes of driving time. Because this is a manageable distance for a single day of travel, you can comfortably complete the journey without needing an overnight stop, though you should plan for at least one break to stay refreshed. Expect to budget around $47 for fuel for the one-way trip. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major arterial roads like I-57, IL 33, and 500E. This is a straightforward, highway-focused route that transitions you through the heart of the Midwest, making it a functional choice if you need to travel between these two points efficiently.

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

154.7 miles from Albion, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 21m into the drive .

Drive Character

With roughly 79% of your journey spent on highways, this drive is designed for consistency and speed rather than winding, technical backroads. You will settle into a rhythmic pace, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 168.6 miles on I-57. While the initial segments involve smaller roads like 500E and IL 33, the route quickly shifts into a standard interstate experience. The character of the road is decidedly pragmatic, favoring efficiency over scenic variety. You should anticipate a predictable, high-speed environment for most of the six-hour duration as you head north through the state.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

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

I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 168.6 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

780 ft 445 ft

Total Climb

579 ft

Total Descent

449 ft

Highest Point

780 ft

~154.7 mi in

Elevation Range

335 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 33. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 89.2 miles in near I 57.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 309.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 89.2 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 261.2 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.8 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

89.2 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in | I 57

Merge onto I 57

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

261.2 mi into trip | ~5h 19m in | I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Roa...

290.8 mi into trip | ~5h 59m in | US 41 / Skokie Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 41 / Skokie Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

306.2 mi into trip | ~6h 18m in

Take the exit toward IL 120 East

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward IL 120 East

308.5 mi into trip | ~6h 22m in | Glen Rock Avenue

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	168.6 mi	3h 5m
IL 33	36.3 mi	53m
500E	24.1 mi	32m
Edens Expressway	13.5 mi	17m
South Van Buren Street	11 mi	15m
South Skokie Highway	8.2 mi	10m
Kennedy Expressway	8.2 mi	11m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)	7.9 mi	11m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 168.6 mi, about 3h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Albion, IL and Waukegan, IL.

Start on IL 15; IL 130

24 mi · 32 min · 500E

Use the none lane.

Continue on IL 130; IL 250

2.5 mi · 4 min · South West Street

Use the straight lane.

Continue on IL 130

6.7 mi · 9 min · County Road 1100 East

Continue on IL 130

11 mi · 15 min · South Van Buren Street

Turn right onto IL 33; IL 130

36 mi · 53 min · IL 33; IL 130

Turn left onto IL 16

2.5 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Avenue

Continue on IL 16

5.3 mi · 7 min · Illinois Route 16

Continue on IL 16

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Charleston Avenue East

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I-57 North: Champaign

Merge onto I 57

169 mi · 3 hr 5 min · I 57

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 94

3.3 mi · 4 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road Use the none lane.

Continue on I 90; I 94

8.2 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 94

14 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 41

3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 41

3.4 mi · 3 min · Skokie Valley Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 41

8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward IL 120 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto IL 120

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Belvidere Road

Continue on IL 120

1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto South Jackson Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Jackson Street

Arrive at destination

North Jackson Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 6-hour and 25-minute transit, aim to leave early in the morning to beat potential congestion as you approach the Waukegan area. Since the drive is highway-intensive, keep a steady eye on your fuel gauge during the long 168.6-mile stretch on I-57, as highway speeds can impact your overall consumption. Planning for at least one dedicated stop is essential to maintain your focus and comfort behind the wheel. Given the route's reliance on I-57, check traffic reports for that specific corridor before you depart to ensure you can maintain your travel time. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to pull over for a longer break if you feel fatigue setting in during the second half of the trip.

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 154.7 miles from Albion, IL, or about 3h 21m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.6 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 80 miles or 1h 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 154.7 miles or 3h 21m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 10m

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.

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.

The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 168.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 154.7 mi from Albion, IL · 3h 21m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Addison, 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Altamont, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Addison, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 154.7 miles from Albion, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 168.6 miles.

Arriving in Waukegan, IL

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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$47.01 one way

$94.02 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 108 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$51.82	$103.65
premium	$4.80	$58.43	$116.85
diesel	$5.64	$68.76	$137.52

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	92.9	1	$32.50	$14.86
Efficient EV	77.4	0	$27.08	$12.38
EV Truck/SUV	123.8	1	$43.33	$19.81

Gas CO2

108 kg

EV CO2

36 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Albion, IL

Afternoon in Albion on Sunday

Local time

4:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Afternoon in Waukegan on Sunday

Local time

4:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°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

18 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

6h 25m on the road

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

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

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 I 57, IL 33, 500E. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 154.7 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 $47.01 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.

The route from Albion, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 445 ft to 780 ft elevation with about 579 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

Waukegan, IL to Albion, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

309.3 mi 6h 23m

Explore more options from Albion, IL or browse trips ending in Waukegan, IL.

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Trip from Albion, IL to Waukegan, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Waukegan, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Albion, IL

Waukegan, IL

Same local time

18 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 25m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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