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Trip from Beecher, IL to Waukegan, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 51m

Distance

81 mi

130 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 44m ★
6 AM
1h 52m
8 AM
2h 8m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 56m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 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
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Downtown Beecher, IL, IL

Beecher, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

The drive from Beecher, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 81 miles and takes about 1h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Calumet Expressway, Edens Expressway, Bishop Ford Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 15.5 miles on Calumet Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.66 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

40.5 miles from Beecher, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 81 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 51m highway drive covering 81 miles, with most of the trip on Calumet Expressway and Edens Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 15.5 miles on Calumet Expressway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Calumet Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 15.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Calumet Expressway and Edens Expressway. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 26.6 miles in near I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81 miles you will encounter 7 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 26.6 miles (I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.8 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.4 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

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

7
26.6 mi into trip | ~37m in | I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway toward I 94 West: Chicago Loop

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 94 West: Chicago Loop
8
32.8 mi into trip | ~45m 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...
6
62.4 mi into trip | ~1h 26m 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.
6
77.8 mi into trip | ~1h 45m 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
5
80 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in | Glen Rock Avenue

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Calumet Expressway 15.5 mi 21m
Edens Expressway 13.5 mi 17m
Bishop Ford Freeway 10.7 mi 14m
South Skokie Highway 8.2 mi 10m
Kennedy Expressway 8.2 mi 11m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) 7.9 mi 11m
Skokie Highway 3.8 mi 4m
Skokie Valley Road 3.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Calumet Expressway — 15.5 mi, about 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on IL 1

3.2 mi · 5 min · Dixie Highway
2

Continue on IL 1

15 mi · 21 min · Calumet Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3

Continue on I 94

7.9 mi · 10 min · Bishop Ford Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

2.8 mi · 3 min · Bishop Ford Freeway
Toward I 94 West: Chicago Loop Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Continue on I 94

3.3 mi · 4 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

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.
7

Continue on I 90; I 94

8.2 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 94

14 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto US 41

3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on US 41

3.4 mi · 3 min · Skokie Valley Road
11

Continue on US 41

8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward IL 120 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn straight onto IL 120

0.3 mi · 33 sec · 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

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 40.5 miles from Beecher, IL, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.5 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 18 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 40.5 miles or 57m 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 33m

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 Beecher, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Beecher, IL

This is one driving day of about 81 miles and 1h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Beecher, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Calumet Expressway for about 15.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 40.5 mi from Beecher, IL · 57m into the drive

Downtown chicago-il

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chicago, IL

41 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.

Popular next leg

Chicago, IL to Waukegan, IL

42.4 mi · 59m

Pacing Suggestions

Chicago, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chicago, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 40.5 miles from Beecher, 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.

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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 25.1
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

$12.66 one way

$25.33 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $13.90 $27.81
premium $4.89 $15.59 $31.18
diesel $5.61 $17.88 $35.77

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.3 0 $8.50 $3.89
Efficient EV 20.3 0 $7.09 $3.24
EV Truck/SUV 32.4 0 $11.34 $5.18

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (68% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Beecher, IL

Morning in Beecher on Thursday

Local time

10:44 AM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Morning in Waukegan on Thursday

Local time

10:44 AM

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

11 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 51m 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 Beecher, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 81 miles and takes about 1h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Calumet Expressway, Edens Expressway, Bishop Ford Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.5 miles from Beecher, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.66 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 81 miles you will encounter 7 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 26.6 miles (I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.8 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.4 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Beecher, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.

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