Origin
Breese, IL
Late night in Breese on Wednesday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Breese, IL to Waukegan, IL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
6h 14m
Distance
326.2 mi
525 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 2m
★
6 AM
6h 15m
8 AM
6h 40m
10 AM
6h 24m
12 PM
6h 21m
3 PM
6h 25m
5 PM
6h 39m
8 PM
6h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Breese, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Breese, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 326.2 miles and takes about 6h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, US 50, Franklin Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 241.8 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $51.00 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
163.1 miles from Breese, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 6h 14m highway drive covering 326.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and US 50. The longest continuous stretch is about 241.8 miles on I 57.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 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 241.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and US 50. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.1 miles in near US 50; IL 127 / 12th Street.
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 326.2 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 9.1 miles (US 50; IL 127 / 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 79.4 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 277.9 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 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
9.1 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
US 50; IL 127 / 12th Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 50; IL 127 / 12th Street
Navigation decision point
7
79.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
8
277.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 8m 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
307.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 49m 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
323 mi into trip
|
~6h 7m 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 | 241.8 mi | 4h 24m |
| US 50 | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| Franklin Street | 14.1 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 |
| Skokie Highway | 3.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 241.8 mi, about 4h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Breese, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on Old Route 50 West
336 ft
·
15 sec
·
Old Route 50 West
2
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
North Walnut Street
3
Continue on Jamestown Road
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Jamestown Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
5
Merge onto US 50
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
US 50
6
At end of road, turn right onto US 50; IL 127
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
12th Street
7
Turn left onto US 50
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Franklin Street
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; US 51
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
N Mine St
9
Continue on US 50; US 51
347 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Mine Street
10
Take the exit
134 ft
·
3 sec
11
Turn right onto US 50
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
US 50
12
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
13
Merge onto I 57
47 mi
·
50 min
·
I 57
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
195 mi
·
3 hr 34 min
·
I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 94
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Skokie Valley Road
21
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward IL 120 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Belvidere Road
24
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
25
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
26
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
27
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
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 163.1 miles from Breese, IL, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 241.8 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.1 miles or 3h 1m 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 56m
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 Breese, 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 Breese, IL
This is one driving day of about 326.2 miles and 6h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Breese, 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 241.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 163.1 mi from Breese, IL · 3h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 163.1 miles from Breese, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 241.8 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
$51.00 one way
$102.00 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
114 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $55.99 | $111.99 |
| premium | $4.89 | $62.77 | $125.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $72.02 | $144.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 97.9 | 1 | $34.25 | $15.66 |
| Efficient EV | 81.6 | 0 | $28.54 | $13.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 130.5 | 1 | $45.67 | $20.88 |
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.
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night in Waukegan on Wednesday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 15 mph
48% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:50AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:39AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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
18 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 14m 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 Breese, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 326.2 miles and takes about 6h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, US 50, Franklin 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 163.1 miles from Breese, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.00 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 326.2 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 9.1 miles (US 50; IL 127 / 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 79.4 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 277.9 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Breese, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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