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Trip from Aurora, IL to Waukegan, IL

Drive Time

1h 28m

Distance

66.5 mi

107 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 21m ★
6 AM
1h 28m
8 AM
1h 42m
10 AM
1h 33m
12 PM
1h 31m
3 PM
1h 33m
5 PM
1h 41m
8 PM
1h 24m

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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Downtown Aurora, IL, IL

Aurora, IL

Markku Soini

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Aurora to Waukegan, expect a straightforward 66.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 28 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Your travel budget remains quite manageable, with estimated fuel costs hovering around $10 for the one-way trip. You will primarily navigate via the Tri-State Tollway, the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, and North Lake Street. Because both cities are located within the Midwest, you will remain in the same geographic region throughout your drive. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two Illinois hubs that offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

33.2 miles from Aurora, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between different road types. While you will spend a significant portion of the trip navigating local infrastructure, the route includes a notable 35.2-mile stretch on the Tri-State Tollway, which serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of your journey. The road's personality shifts from suburban thoroughfares to faster-paced tollway driving, requiring you to adjust your speed and focus frequently. Because the highway share is effectively zero in terms of long-distance cruising, you should prepare for a more involved driving experience compared to a standard interstate haul. Stay alert for the frequent turns that define this path as you move across the landscape.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 35.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 66.5 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 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.9 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

7
2.6 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward I 88 West Toll, IL 56 West Toll: Chicago, Dekalb-Iowa

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I 88 West Toll, IL 56 West Toll: Chicago...
8
2.7 mi into trip | ~5m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 88 East: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 88 East: Chicago
6
20.9 mi into trip | ~28m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
25.6 mi into trip | ~33m in

Take the exit toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 139 Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rock...
7
61.6 mi into trip | ~1h 18m 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

Between Aurora, IL and Waukegan, IL, road signs point toward Rockford and Milwaukee.

Rockford

25.6 mi in | ~33m

Milwaukee

26.2 mi in | ~35m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Tri-State Tollway 35.2 mi 43m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 22.6 mi 28m
North Lake Street 2.2 mi 4m
Belvidere Road 1.9 mi 2m
Belvidere Street 1.6 mi 3m
South Jackson Street 0.5 mi 1m
Glen Rock Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
South Lincolnway Street 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Tri-State Tollway — 35.2 mi, about 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Galena Boulevard

0.1 mi · 15 sec · West Galena Boulevard
2

Turn left onto IL 31

2.2 mi · 4 min · North Lake Street
Use the left lane.
3

Continue on South Lincolnway Street

0.4 mi · 39 sec · South Lincolnway Street
4

Take the ramp

387 ft · 9 sec
Toward I 88 West Toll, IL 56 West Toll: Chicago, Dekalb-Iowa Use the left lane.
5

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 88 East: Chicago Use the slight right lane.
6

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 21 sec · this road
Toward I 88 East: Chicago
7

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

18 mi · 22 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110

4.7 mi · 5 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 139 Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
11

Merge onto I 294

35 mi · 43 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 11A Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn straight onto IL 120

1.9 mi · 2 min · Belvidere Road
14

Continue on IL 120

1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
15

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
16

Turn left onto South Jackson Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Jackson Street
17

Arrive at destination

North Jackson Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of scheduling flexibility, though leaving during off-peak hours is always a smart way to avoid potential congestion on these specific tollways. You won't need to plan for any formal stops given the manageable 1 hour and 28-minute duration, but keeping your fuel tank topped off before you head out will ensure you stay within your $10 budget without any last-minute stress. Pay close attention to the signage when transitioning between the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and the Tri-State Tollway, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be tricky for first-timers. Take advantage of the short travel time to enjoy a direct, efficient transit that gets you to your destination without the need for complex multi-day planning.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 33.2 miles from Aurora, IL, or about 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.2 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 66.5 miles or 1h 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 33.2 miles or 43m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 12m

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 Aurora, 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 Aurora, IL

This is one driving day of about 66.5 miles and 1h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Aurora, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 35.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 33.2 mi from Aurora, IL · 43m into the drive

Downtown Des Plaines, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Des Plaines, IL

33 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

Palatine, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 66.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Des Plaines, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 33.2 miles from Aurora, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

Pullman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...

20 mi from route ~50 min detour Free near mile 25.2
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.10 one way

$20.20 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 23 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $11.13 $22.27
premium $4.80 $12.55 $25.11
diesel $5.64 $14.77 $29.55

Estimated Tolls: $3.46

Tri-state Tollway (35.2 mi) $2.11
Reagan Memorial Tollway (22.6 mi) $1.35

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

$10

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 23.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 20 0 $6.98 $3.19
Efficient EV 16.6 0 $5.82 $2.66
EV Truck/SUV 26.6 0 $9.31 $4.26

Gas CO2

23 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (65% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 4 days ago

Origin

Aurora, IL

Afternoon in Aurora on Monday

Local time

3:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Afternoon in Waukegan on Monday

Local time

3:33 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

3 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

1h 28m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Aurora, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 66.5 miles and takes about 1h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, North Lake Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.2 miles from Aurora, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.10 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 66.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.9 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Aurora, IL and Waukegan, IL, road signs point toward Rockford and Milwaukee.

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