Drive Time
5h 18m
Distance
324.7 mi
523 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
Photo: Stéphane Tendon
The drive from Belleville, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 324.7 miles and takes about 5h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Illinois Street, South Morrison Avenue, Vandalia Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.32 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
162.4 miles from Belleville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 18m drive with frequent turns across 324.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 18m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Belleville, IL to Waukegan, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Illinois Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Morrison Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Vandalia Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 55 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 294 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 294 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tri-State Tollway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| IL 120 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Belleville, IL and Waukegan, IL.
Start on East F Street
Turn right onto North Illinois Street
Continue on South Morrison Avenue
Continue on Vandalia Street
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North, I 70 East
Merge slight left
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
Continue on Belvidere Street
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.4 miles or 2h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waukegan, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Belleville, 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 Belleville, IL
This is one driving day of about 324.7 miles and 5h 18m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 162.4 mi from Belleville, IL · 2h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
162 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 162.4 miles from Belleville, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$49.32 one way
$98.64 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $54.37 | $108.74 |
| premium | $4.80 | $61.30 | $122.59 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $72.14 | $144.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.6 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 | 97.4 | 1 | $34.09 | $15.59 |
| Efficient EV | 81.2 | 0 | $28.41 | $12.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 129.9 | 1 | $45.46 | $20.78 |
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Belleville on Sunday
Local time
12:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
12:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
53°F
Bloomington, IL
162 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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