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Trip from Carbondale, IL to Waukegan, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 6m

Distance

371.4 mi

598 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$58

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
6h 55m ★
6 AM
7h 6m
8 AM
7h 29m
10 AM
7h 14m
12 PM
7h 12m
3 PM
7h 15m
5 PM
7h 27m
8 PM
7h 0m

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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city in Jackson County, Illinois, United States

Carbondale, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Carbondale, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 371.4 miles and takes about 7h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, Edens Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 195.2 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $58.06 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

185.7 miles from Carbondale, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 28m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 195.2 mi 3h 34m
Ken Gray Expressway 108.7 mi 1h 57m
Edens Expressway 13.5 mi 17m
East Main Street 9.8 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
Longest stretch: I 57 — 195.2 mi, about 3h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on IL 13

0.1 mi · 20 sec · East Main Street
2

Turn left onto US 51

0.1 mi · 16 sec · South University Avenue
3

Turn left onto IL 13

1.4 mi · 2 min · West Walnut Street
4

Continue on IL 13

9.7 mi · 14 min · East Main Street
5

Continue on IL 13

3.3 mi · 4 min · West Deyoung Street
6

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 2 min
7

Merge onto I 57

41 mi · 44 min · Ken Gray Expressway
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57

67 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
9

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.
10

Continue on I 94

3.3 mi · 4 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

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.
12

Continue on I 90; I 94

8.2 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 94

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

Keep slight left at fork onto US 41

3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on US 41

3.4 mi · 3 min · Skokie Valley Road
16

Continue on US 41

8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward IL 120 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Turn straight onto IL 120

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Belvidere Road
19

Continue on IL 120

1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
20

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
21

Turn left onto South Jackson Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Jackson Street
22

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 185.7 miles from Carbondale, IL, or about 3h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 195.2 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 82 miles or 1h 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 185.7 miles or 3h 28m 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 46m

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 Carbondale, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Carbondale, IL

This is one driving day of about 371.4 miles and 7h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Carbondale, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 195.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

186 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

Odin, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 185.7 miles from Carbondale, 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 195.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Asian bowl express

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rantoul, Illinois

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 212.2

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12172821215

Visit website

Red Wheel Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Rantoul, Illinois

1 mi

ET's Downtown Rantoul

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rantoul, Illinois

1.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukegan, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 371.4

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Asian bowl express

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 212.2

Rantoul, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12172821215

Visit website

Red Wheel Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 212.2

Rantoul, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12178930471

Visit website

ET's Downtown Rantoul

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 212.2

Rantoul, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12178930222

Visit website

Lior's Cafe

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 318.3

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 12–10 pm

+17732395467

Visit website

Ain't She Sweet Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 318.3

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+17738403309

Visit website

The Original Pancake House - Beverly

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 318.3

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17734456100

Visit website

Casa amigos Mexican restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 212.2

Rantoul, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12172156053

El Patrón Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 79.6

Salem, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16182670081

Visit website

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 371.4

Waukegan, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 371.4

Gurnee, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 368.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 51 / South University Avenue

Turn left onto US 51 / South University Avenue

Navigation decision point

7
124.6 mi into trip | ~2h 21m 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
323.2 mi into trip | ~6h 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
352.7 mi into trip | ~6h 40m 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
368.2 mi into trip | ~6h 59m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$58.06 one way

$116.13 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 130 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $63.75 $127.50
premium $4.89 $71.47 $142.95
diesel $5.61 $82.00 $164.00

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$58

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$83–$108

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 129.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 111.4 1 $39.00 $17.83
Efficient EV 92.9 1 $32.50 $14.86
EV Truck/SUV 148.6 1 $52.00 $23.77

Gas CO2

130 kg

EV CO2

43 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 as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Carbondale, IL

Afternoon in Carbondale on Saturday

Local time

1:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Afternoon in Waukegan on Saturday

Local time

1:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

42°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

WSW 15 to 20 mph 100% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 1:32AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:24PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

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

7h 6m 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.

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 320.2
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

371.4 mi in 7h 6m, mostly highway — 195.2 mi of that is on I 57.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 195.2 mi on I 57.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 51 / South University Avenue.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 371.4 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 0.1 miles (US 51 / South University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 124.6 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 323.2 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 6m. Total distance: 371.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 195.2 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Waukegan, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 51 / South University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 124.6 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 323.2 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Waukegan, IL before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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