Trip from Aviston, IL to Waukegan, IL

Drive Time

6h 19m

Distance

326.5 mi

525 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

6h 7m ★

6 AM

6h 20m

8 AM

6h 45m

10 AM

6h 29m

12 PM

6h 26m

3 PM

6h 30m

5 PM

6h 44m

8 PM

6h 12m

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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Aviston, IL

Yusuf Çelik

Trip Overview

Spanning 326.5 miles across Illinois, this trek from Aviston to Waukegan is a straightforward journey typically requiring 6 hours and 19 minutes of driving time. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stop, though you should plan for at least one break to stay refreshed. Expect to budget approximately $50 for fuel to complete the transit. The route primarily utilizes I-55 and the Tri-State Tollway, keeping you on major thoroughfares throughout the Midwest. Whether you are traveling for business or visiting family, this drive offers a reliable path between the southern and northern reaches of the state.

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

163.2 miles from Aviston, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a highway-focused drive, with 78% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a long, consistent rhythm during the 243.4-mile stretch on I-55, which serves as the backbone of your journey. As you approach the northern part of the state, the character of the road shifts from open interstate to the busier corridors of the Tri-State Tollway. While the transit is efficient, it remains an interstate-heavy experience that demands steady focus. Expect a functional, direct drive that prioritizes speed and connectivity over winding scenic detours.

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 243.4 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 127.7 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 17 significant decision points across 326.5 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 127.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 277.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

127.7 mi into trip | ~2h 29m 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

157.1 mi into trip | ~3h 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

277.9 mi into trip | ~5h 15m 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

279.5 mi into trip | ~5h 18m 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

321.6 mi into trip | ~6h 10m 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 Aviston, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

Peoria

157.1 mi in | ~3h | via I 55

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	243.4 mi	4h 26m
Tri-State Tollway	41.8 mi	50m
North Madison Street	22.6 mi	33m
US 50	10.7 mi	12m
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

Longest stretch: I 55 — 243.4 mi, about 4h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on 2nd Street

106 ft · 6 sec · 2nd Street

Turn right onto Clinton Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Clinton Street

At end of road, turn left onto Harrison Street

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Harrison Street

Continue on Old US Hwy 50

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Old US Hwy 50

Turn right onto Russland Road

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Russland Road

Turn left onto US 50

11 mi · 12 min · US 50

Turn right onto IL 4

23 mi · 33 min · North Madison Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Merge onto I 55

93 mi · 1 hr 40 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 ensure a smooth trip, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, especially as you transition toward the busy Waukegan area. Since you have a 6-hour-plus commitment ahead of you, plan for one strategic stop to stretch your legs and refuel; the $50 estimate should cover your needs if you fill up mid-route. Keep in mind that the Tri-State Tollway segment requires toll preparation, so have your payment method ready before you reach the northern leg. Because this is a single-day trip, maintaining a steady pace is key to arriving in Waukegan without feeling fatigued. Checking local traffic reports before you leave Aviston will help you navigate the interstate portions of the drive more effectively.

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 163.2 miles from Aviston, IL, or about 3h 7m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 243.4 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 163.2 miles or 3h 7m 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 4m

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 Aviston, 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 Aviston, IL

This is one driving day of about 326.5 miles and 6h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Aviston, 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 243.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 163.2 mi from Aviston, IL · 3h 7m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

163 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

Decatur, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 163.2 miles from Aviston, 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 243.4 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

$49.59 one way

$99.18 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 114 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$54.67	$109.34
premium	$4.80	$61.64	$123.27
diesel	$5.64	$72.54	$145.07

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

$50

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 114.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	98	1	$34.28	$15.67
Efficient EV	81.6	0	$28.57	$13.06
EV Truck/SUV	130.6	1	$45.71	$20.90

Gas CO2

114 kg

EV CO2

38 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 3 days ago

Origin

Aviston, IL

Evening in Aviston on Sunday

Local time

6:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Evening in Waukegan on Sunday

Local time

6:46 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

15 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 19m 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 Aviston, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 326.5 miles and takes about 6h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

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

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 163.2 miles from Aviston, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.59 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 Aviston, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

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Return Trip

Waukegan, IL to Aviston, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

330.3 mi 6h 18m

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

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Trip from Aviston, 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

Aviston, IL

Waukegan, IL

Same local time

15 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 19m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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