Origin
Altamont, IL
Evening in Altamont on Sunday
Local time
5:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altamont, IL to Waukegan, IL
Drive Time
5h 5m
Distance
263.8 mi
425 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 52m
★
6 AM
5h 6m
8 AM
5h 33m
10 AM
5h 15m
12 PM
5h 13m
3 PM
5h 17m
5 PM
5h 32m
8 PM
4h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Altamont, IL
Samuele Pellegrino
Trip Overview
Traveling from Altamont to Waukegan covers approximately 263.8 miles and takes about 5 hours and 5 minutes of total driving time. This journey is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Farina Road, I-70 East, and I-57 North to complete the transit. Budgeting around $39 for fuel should keep you covered for the duration of the trip. Since both your start and end points are located within the Midwest, you can expect a consistent regional feel as you head north across Illinois.
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
131.9 miles from Altamont, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate haul. While you utilize major arteries like I-70 and I-57, the route requires careful navigation through local transitions. You will encounter varying road conditions, and because there is no significant highway percentage, you should stay alert for frequent turns. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on Farina Road, so be prepared for a drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. The transition from smaller local roads to the busier interstate system defines the shifting pace of this 263.8-mile journey.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Farina Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 5m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Altamont, IL to Waukegan, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Farina Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-70 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 57 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Kennedy Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Edens Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Skokie Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Farina Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altamont, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
2
Continue on Farina Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Farina Road
3
Take the ramp left toward I-70 East: Effingham
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
I-70 East: Effingham
4
Merge slight left
15 mi
·
16 min
5
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195 mi
·
3 hr 34 min
·
I 57 North: Chicago
6
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
7
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
9
Continue on Edens Expressway
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
10
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Skokie Highway
11
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Skokie Valley Road
12
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
South Skokie Highway
13
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
IL 120 East
14
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Belvidere Road
15
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
16
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
17
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a 5-hour and 5-minute trek, aim to depart early to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic fluctuations. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $39 fuel estimate in mind throughout the day. Since the route involves significant local road portions, verify your navigation before leaving Altamont to ensure you are comfortable with the specific turns on Farina Road. Having the flexibility to adjust your pace is a major advantage on a drive of this length. Stay hydrated and keep your snacks handy, as the turn-heavy nature of the trip makes frequent, quick breaks more refreshing than one long stop.
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 131.9 miles from Altamont, IL, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.9 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 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 Altamont, 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 Altamont, IL
This is one driving day of about 263.8 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Altamont, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 131.9 mi from Altamont, IL · 2h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 131.9 miles from Altamont, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.07 one way
$80.14 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $44.17 | $88.34 |
| premium | $4.80 | $49.80 | $99.60 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $58.61 | $117.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.1 | 0 | $27.70 | $12.66 |
| Efficient EV | 66 | 0 | $23.08 | $10.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.5 | 1 | $36.93 | $16.88 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Waukegan, IL
Evening in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
5:36 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
13 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
5h 5m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Altamont, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 263.8 miles and takes about 5h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Farina Road, I-70 East, I 57 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 131.9 miles from Altamont, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.07 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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.
This is a straightforward 5h 5m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Altamont, IL to Waukegan, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Altamont, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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