Trip from Alton, IL to Waukegan, IL

Drive Time

6h 7m

Distance

316 mi

509 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Alton, IL

Samuele Pellegrino

Trip Overview

Spanning 316 miles across Illinois, this trek from Alton to Waukegan typically takes about 6 hours and 7 minutes behind the wheel. Because you will spend 81% of your journey on highways like I-55 and the Tri-State Tollway, it is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that is easily manageable in a single day. You should budget approximately $48 for fuel to cover the distance. While the trip remains entirely within the Midwest, the transition from the Alton area to the northern reaches of Waukegan highlights the scale of the state. Since the drive is designed for one day, you can comfortably make the trip without an overnight stay, provided you account for the time spent on major transit corridors.

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

158 miles from Alton, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience as you navigate the majority of the trip on major arterial roads. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 246.8-mile stretch on I-55, which serves as the backbone of your route. You will find that the character of the road is functional and efficient rather than winding or technical. As you transition onto the Tri-State Tollway, the driving environment shifts to reflect the busier, high-traffic nature of the northern region. With highway driving accounting for 81% of the trip, you can anticipate consistent speeds and a focus on steady, long-distance travel.

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

There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 246.8 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

832 ft 493 ft

Total Climb

729 ft

Total Descent

568 ft

Highest Point

832 ft

~158.4 mi in

Elevation Range

338 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 117.3 miles in near I 55.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 316 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 117.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

117.3 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North: Chicago

146.6 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

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

Use the none lane. Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

267.4 mi into trip | ~5h 3m 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

269 mi into trip | ~5h 7m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 294 North: Wisconsin

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin

311.2 mi into trip | ~5h 58m 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

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Alton, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

Peoria

146.6 mi in | ~2h 49m | via I 55

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	246.8 mi	4h 30m
Tri-State Tollway	41.8 mi	50m
State Route 140	9.7 mi	13m
College Avenue	3.9 mi	6m
Belvidere Road	1.9 mi	2m
West Bethalto Drive	1.8 mi	3m
Belvidere Street	1.6 mi	3m
West MacArthur Drive	1.4 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 246.8 mi, about 4h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Alby Street

190 ft · 10 sec · Alby Street

Turn right onto East Broadway

0.1 mi · 21 sec · East Broadway

Turn right onto US 67

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Piasa Street

Continue on US 67

0.9 mi · 1 min · Martin Luther King Drive

Turn right onto College Avenue

0.2 mi · 25 sec · College Avenue

Turn right

67 ft · 1 sec

Enter roundabout onto College Avenue

380 ft · 9 sec · College Avenue

Continue on College Avenue

3.6 mi · 6 min · College Avenue

Use the none lane.

Continue on IL 111; IL 140

1.3 mi · 2 min · West Macarthur Drive

Continue on IL 111; IL 140

1.4 mi · 2 min · West MacArthur Drive

Continue on IL 140

1.8 mi · 3 min · West Bethalto Drive

Continue on IL 140

9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140

Continue on IL 140

0.8 mi · 1 min · West State Street

Continue on IL 140

443 ft · 13 sec · State Route 140

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Merge onto I 55

97 mi · 1 hr 44 min · I 55

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

121 mi · 2 hr 14 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the none lane.

Take the exit

1.6 mi · 3 min

Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin Use the none lane.

Merge onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Exit 11A Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto IL 120

1.9 mi · 2 min · Belvidere Road

Use the none lane.

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 journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the long stretch on I-55. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential congestion on the more heavily traveled sections near the end of your route. Keep in mind that since this is a highway-focused drive, fuel efficiency will be your primary concern; having $48 set aside for gas will keep your budget on track. Because this is a one-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility, so prioritize your single stop around the midpoint to maintain your energy. Always check for toll requirements on the Tri-State Tollway before you depart to ensure your payment methods are ready for the final leg of your drive.

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 158 miles from Alton, IL, or about 3h 1m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246.8 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 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 158 miles or 3h 1m 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 54m

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 Alton, 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 Alton, IL

This is one driving day of about 316 miles and 6h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Alton, 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 55 for about 246.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 158 mi from Alton, IL · 3h 1m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Akron, IL

158 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

Akron, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Akron, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 158 miles from Alton, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 246.8 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

$48.00 one way

$95.99 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 111 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$52.91	$105.82
premium	$4.80	$59.65	$119.31
diesel	$5.64	$70.20	$140.41

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

$48

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 110.6 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	94.8	1	$33.18	$15.17
Efficient EV	79	0	$27.65	$12.64
EV Truck/SUV	126.4	1	$44.24	$20.22

Gas CO2

111 kg

EV CO2

37 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 2 days ago

Origin

Alton, IL

Afternoon in Alton on Sunday

Local time

2:00 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Afternoon in Waukegan on Sunday

Local time

2:00 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

78°F

Akron, IL

158 mi in

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

6h 7m 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 Alton, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 316 miles and takes about 6h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 55, Tri-State Tollway, State Route 140. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 158 miles from Alton, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.00 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.

On the drive from Alton, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 493 ft to 832 ft elevation with about 729 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

Waukegan, IL to Alton, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

315.9 mi 6h 7m

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Trip from Alton, IL to Waukegan, IL

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

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

Alton, IL

Waukegan, IL

Same local time

14 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 7m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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