Trip from Bement, IL to Waukegan, IL

Drive Time

Distance

200.6 mi

323 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 48m ★

6 AM

4h 1m

8 AM

4h 27m

10 AM

4h 10m

12 PM

4h 7m

3 PM

4h 11m

5 PM

4h 25m

8 PM

3h 53m

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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Bement, IL

Erick Ortega

Trip Overview

Traveling from Bement to Waukegan spans approximately 200.6 miles and typically takes about 4 hours of drive time. Because this route is entirely within Illinois and maintains a consistent highway-focused profile, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip. You should budget roughly $30 for fuel to cover the journey. While you will navigate a mix of I-72, I-57, and the Edens Expressway, the drive remains straightforward for those comfortable with interstate travel. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of scenery, this trip offers a direct path through the heart of the Midwest.

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

100.3 miles from Bement, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 86% of this 200.6-mile trek takes place on major highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-57, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the journey at 123.5 miles. The character of the road is functional and efficient, designed to keep you moving steadily toward your destination. As you transition from the rural stretches of central Illinois onto the Edens Expressway, you will notice the traffic patterns shift, requiring more focus as you approach Waukegan. It is a classic highway grind that prioritizes speed and directness 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 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 123.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 72. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 200.6 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 25.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 25.5 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.4 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

25.2 mi into trip | ~31m in

Take the exit toward I 57 North: Chicago

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 182B Toward I 57 North: Chicago

25.5 mi into trip | ~32m in | I 57

Merge onto I 57

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

152.4 mi into trip | ~2h 54m 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 none lane. Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Roa...

181.9 mi into trip | ~3h 35m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.

197.4 mi into trip | ~3h 53m 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

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	123.5 mi	2h 17m
I 72	15.4 mi	16m
Edens Expressway	13.5 mi	17m
South Skokie Highway	8.2 mi	10m
Kennedy Expressway	8.2 mi	11m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)	7.9 mi	11m
Macon Street	6.1 mi	8m
Skokie Highway	3.8 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 123.5 mi, about 2h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on IL 105

6.1 mi · 8 min · Macon Street

Continue on IL 105

3.2 mi · 6 min · South Market Street

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 54 sec

Toward I-72 East: Champaign

Merge onto I 72

15 mi · 16 min · I 72

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Exit 182B Toward I 57 North: Chicago

Merge onto I 57

124 mi · 2 hr 17 min · I 57

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 94

3.3 mi · 4 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

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 none lane.

Continue on I 90; I 94

8.2 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 94

14 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 41

3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 41

3.4 mi · 3 min · Skokie Valley Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 41

8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward IL 120 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto IL 120

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Belvidere Road

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 your 4-hour journey, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, especially as you near the busier northern segments of the route. Since the itinerary includes only one planned stop, use that break strategically to stretch your legs and refresh after the long 123.5-mile push on I-57. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge early on, as the $30 estimate assumes steady highway cruising efficiency. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace depending on road conditions. Planning for a single, well-timed rest stop will keep you alert behind the wheel for the duration of the drive.

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 100.3 miles from Bement, IL, or about 1h 55m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.5 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 100.3 miles or 1h 55m 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 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 Bement, 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 Bement, IL

This is one driving day of about 200.6 miles and 4h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bement, 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 57 for about 123.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 100.3 mi from Bement, IL · 1h 55m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Orland Park, IL

100 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

Champaign, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Joliet, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 100.3 miles from Bement, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 123.5 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

$30.47 one way

$60.94 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 70 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$33.59	$67.18
premium	$4.80	$37.87	$75.74
diesel	$5.64	$44.57	$89.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	60.2	0	$21.06	$9.63
Efficient EV	50.2	0	$17.55	$8.02
EV Truck/SUV	80.2	1	$28.08	$12.84

Gas CO2

70 kg

EV CO2

23 kg (67% 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 3 days ago

Origin

Bement, IL

Evening in Bement on Sunday

Local time

8:57 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Evening in Waukegan on Sunday

Local time

8:57 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

11 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 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 Bement, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 200.6 miles and takes about 4h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, I 72, Edens Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 100.3 miles from Bement, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.47 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.