Trip from Anna, IL to Waukegan, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

7h 17m

Distance

386.1 mi

621 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$60

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

7h 7m ★

6 AM

7h 18m

8 AM

7h 39m

10 AM

7h 25m

12 PM

7h 23m

3 PM

7h 26m

5 PM

7h 38m

8 PM

7h 11m

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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Anna, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

The drive from Anna, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 386.1 miles and takes about 7h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, Edens Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 195.2 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $60.36 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

193.1 miles from Anna, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 31m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 17m. Total distance: 386.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Drive Character

This is a 7h 17m highway drive covering 386.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 195.2 miles on I 57.

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

There are about 20 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 195.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 71.9 miles in near I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 386.1 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 71.9 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 139.3 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 337.8 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

71.9 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in | I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway toward I 57 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 57 North: Chicago

139.3 mi into trip | ~2h 32m in | I 57

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 57 North: Chicago

337.8 mi into trip | ~6h 11m 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 straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Roa...

367.4 mi into trip | ~6h 52m 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 straight / slight right lanes.

382.9 mi into trip | ~7h 10m 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

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	195.2 mi	3h 34m
Ken Gray Expressway	133 mi	2h 23m
Edens Expressway	13.5 mi	17m
South Skokie Highway	8.2 mi	10m
Kennedy Expressway	8.2 mi	11m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)	7.9 mi	11m
East Vienna Street	5.8 mi	8m
Skokie Highway	3.8 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 195.2 mi, about 3h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on IL 146

34 ft · 1 sec · Broad Street

Turn right onto IL 146

5.8 mi · 8 min · East Vienna Street

Continue on IL 146

0.3 mi · 27 sec · 770N

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Merge onto I 57

66 mi · 1 hr 10 min · Ken Gray Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57

67 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Ken Gray Expressway

Toward I 57 North: Chicago

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57

195 mi · 3 hr 34 min · I 57

Toward I 57 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 94

3.3 mi · 4 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

Use the 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 straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 90; I 94

8.2 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 94

14 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 41

3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 41

3.4 mi · 3 min · Skokie Valley Road

Continue on US 41

8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway

Use the left 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

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

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 193.1 miles from Anna, IL, or about 3h 31m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 195.2 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 85 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 193.1 miles or 3h 31m 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 57m

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 Anna, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Anna, IL

This is one driving day of about 386.1 miles and 7h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Anna, IL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 195.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 193.1 mi from Anna, IL · 3h 31m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

193 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

Nashville, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 193.1 miles from Anna, 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 195.2 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

$60.36 one way

$120.72 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 135 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$66.28	$132.55
premium	$4.89	$74.30	$148.60
diesel	$5.61	$85.25	$170.49

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$60

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$85–$110

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 135.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	115.8	1	$40.54	$18.53
Efficient EV	96.5	1	$33.78	$15.44
EV Truck/SUV	154.4	1	$54.05	$24.71

Gas CO2

135 kg

EV CO2

45 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 as of Apr 13, 2026

Origin

Anna, IL

Afternoon in Anna on Thursday

Local time

2:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 12 to 16 mph 17% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 13 at 12:40PM CDT until April 13 at 1:15PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 13 at 12:37PM CDT until April 13 at 1:30PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Afternoon in Waukegan on Thursday

Local time

2:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

62°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

7h 17m 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 Anna, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 386.1 miles and takes about 7h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, Edens Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 193.1 miles from Anna, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $60.36 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

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

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Return Trip

Waukegan, IL to Anna, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

385.3 mi 7h 15m

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

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Trip from Anna, IL to Waukegan, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

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

Anna, IL

Waukegan, IL

Same local time

18 degrees cooler at arrival

7h 17m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

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