Trip from Ashland, IL to Waukegan, IL

Drive Time

4h 54m

Distance

247.2 mi

398 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 41m ★

6 AM

4h 55m

8 AM

5h 22m

10 AM

5h 4m

12 PM

5h 1m

3 PM

5h 6m

5 PM

5h 20m

8 PM

4h 47m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Ashland, IL

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Traveling from Ashland to Waukegan covers approximately 247.2 miles across the Illinois landscape. You can expect a drive time of about 4 hours and 54 minutes, making this a manageable one-day trip for most drivers. Your journey will primarily utilize I-55 and the Tri-State Tollway, with some travel on I-55 Business. With an estimated fuel cost of $38, it is a straightforward trek through the Midwest that doesn't require an overnight stay. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of scenery, the route is well-connected and efficient. Keep in mind that this is a highway-focused drive, so plan your schedule around steady interstate traffic.

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

123.6 miles from Ashland, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is defined by its reliance on major thoroughfares, with 78% of your travel occurring on highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-55, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 150.2 miles. Because the route is heavily interstate-based, expect a consistent, fast-paced driving experience rather than technical winding roads. The transition from the more rural stretches near Ashland to the heavier traffic patterns of the Tri-State Tollway marks the biggest shift in your environment. Staying focused during the long highway segments is key, as the character of the road remains relatively uniform for the majority of the trip.

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

There are about 21 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 150.2 miles.

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 48.4 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 15 significant decision points across 247.2 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 48.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

48.4 mi into trip | ~1h 4m 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

77.8 mi into trip | ~1h 35m 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

198.6 mi into trip | ~3h 50m 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

200.2 mi into trip | ~3h 53m 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

242.3 mi into trip | ~4h 45m 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 Ashland, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

Peoria

77.8 mi in | ~1h 35m | via I 55

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	150.2 mi	2h 45m
Tri-State Tollway	41.8 mi	50m
I 55 Business	21.4 mi	23m
IL 125	11.9 mi	17m
North Peoria Road	5.3 mi	8m
IL 97	5 mi	7m
Veterans Parkway	4.2 mi	6m
Belvidere Road	1.9 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 150.2 mi, about 2h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on West Washington Street

194 ft · 13 sec · West Washington Street

Turn left onto South Yates Street

0.2 mi · 43 sec · South Yates Street

Turn right onto East Fremont Street

0.3 mi · 37 sec · East Fremont Street

At end of road, turn right onto IL 125

11 mi · 16 min · IL 125

Use the none lane.

Continue on IL 125

0.9 mi · 1 min · IL 125

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on IL 97

5.0 mi · 7 min · IL 97

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto IL 4

4.2 mi · 6 min · Veterans Parkway

Use the left lane.

Continue on I 55 Business

5.3 mi · 8 min · North Peoria Road

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto I 55 Business

21 mi · 23 min · I 55 Business

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 this nearly five-hour drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak congestion on the busier sections of the Tri-State Tollway. Since the route only requires one stop to comfortably reach your destination, look for a rest area or service plaza roughly halfway through your journey to break up the monotony. Keep in mind that the highway-heavy nature of this trip means you should monitor your fuel levels before hitting the long 150.2-mile stretch on I-55. Having your toll payment method ready is essential for a smooth transit through the tollway segments. Flexibility is your best asset here, so feel free to adjust your departure time if weather or traffic reports suggest delays on the main interstate corridors.

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 123.6 miles from Ashland, IL, or about 2h 26m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.2 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 123.6 miles or 2h 26m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 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 Ashland, 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 Ashland, IL

This is one driving day of about 247.2 miles and 4h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ashland, 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 150.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 123.6 mi from Ashland, IL · 2h 26m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Akron, IL

124 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 123.6 miles from Ashland, 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 150.2 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

$37.55 one way

$75.09 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$41.39	$82.78
premium	$4.80	$46.67	$93.33
diesel	$5.64	$54.92	$109.84

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

$38

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	74.2	0	$25.96	$11.87
Efficient EV	61.8	0	$21.63	$9.89
EV Truck/SUV	98.9	1	$34.61	$15.82

Gas CO2

86 kg

EV CO2

29 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Ashland, IL

Evening in Ashland on Sunday

Local time

6:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Evening in Waukegan on Sunday

Local time

6:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

78°F

Akron, IL

124 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

7 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

4h 54m 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 Ashland, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 247.2 miles and takes about 4h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

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

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 123.6 miles from Ashland, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.55 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.

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

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Waukegan, IL to Ashland, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

247.4 mi 4h 54m

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Ashland, IL or Waukegan, IL on MapSof.net.

Trip from Ashland, IL to Waukegan, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

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

Ashland, IL

Waukegan, IL

Same local time

7 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 54m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Waukegan, IL

More from Ashland, IL

More trips to Waukegan, IL