Origin
Carmi, IL
Late night in Carmi on Wednesday
Local time
5:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carmi, IL to Waukegan, IL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
7h 2m
Distance
334.2 mi
538 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 51m
★
6 AM
7h 2m
8 AM
7h 25m
10 AM
7h 10m
12 PM
7h 8m
3 PM
7h 11m
5 PM
7h 24m
8 PM
6h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carmi, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Carmi, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 334.2 miles and takes about 7h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, IL 33, 500E for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 168.6 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.25 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
167.1 miles from Carmi, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 44m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 7h 2m highway drive covering 334.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and IL 33. The longest continuous stretch is about 168.6 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 31 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 168.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 33. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 16.2 miles in near IL 130 / Hagedorn Road.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 334.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 16.2 miles (IL 130 / Hagedorn Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 114 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 285.9 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 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
16.2 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
IL 130 / Hagedorn Road
Turn left onto IL 130 / Hagedorn Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
114 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
285.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 56m 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
315.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 36m 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
331 mi into trip
|
~6h 55m 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 | 168.6 mi | 3h 5m |
| IL 33 | 36.3 mi | 53m |
| 500E | 24.3 mi | 33m |
| Edens Expressway | 13.5 mi | 17m |
| South Van Buren Street | 11 mi | 15m |
| South Cross Street | 8.6 mi | 12m |
| South Skokie Highway | 8.2 mi | 10m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.2 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 168.6 mi, about 3h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carmi, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on IL 1; IL 14
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
East Main Street
2
Continue on IL 1; IL 14
8.6 mi
·
12 min
·
South Cross Street
3
Continue on IL 1
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South Court Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto IL 130
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Hagedorn Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on IL 130
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
700E
6
Turn straight onto IL 130
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
575E
7
Continue on IL 130
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
South 1st Street
8
Turn left onto IL 130
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
East Walnut Street
9
Turn right onto IL 130
24 mi
·
33 min
·
500E
10
Continue on IL 130; IL 250
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
South West Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on IL 130
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
County Road 1100 East
12
Continue on IL 130
11 mi
·
15 min
·
South Van Buren Street
13
Turn right onto IL 33; IL 130
36 mi
·
53 min
·
IL 33; IL 130
14
Turn left onto IL 16
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Lincoln Avenue
15
Continue on IL 16
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Illinois Route 16
16
Continue on IL 16
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Charleston Avenue East
17
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
18
Merge onto I 57
169 mi
·
3 hr 5 min
·
I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 94
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Skokie Valley Road
25
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward IL 120 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Belvidere Road
28
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
29
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
30
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
31
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 167.1 miles from Carmi, IL, or about 3h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.6 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 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.1 miles or 3h 44m 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 42m
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 Carmi, 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 Carmi, IL
This is one driving day of about 334.2 miles and 7h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carmi, 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 168.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 167.1 mi from Carmi, IL · 3h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
167 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 167.1 miles from Carmi, 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 168.6 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
$52.25 one way
$104.50 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
117 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $57.37 | $114.73 |
| premium | $4.89 | $64.31 | $128.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $73.79 | $147.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 100.3 | 1 | $35.09 | $16.04 |
| Efficient EV | 83.6 | 0 | $29.24 | $13.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 133.7 | 1 | $46.79 | $21.39 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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
5:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 15 mph
35% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 2:54PM EDT until April 14 at 4:46AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:50AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM 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
2 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 2m 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 Carmi, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 334.2 miles and takes about 7h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, IL 33, 500E. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 167.1 miles from Carmi, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.25 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 334.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 16.2 miles (IL 130 / Hagedorn Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 114 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 285.9 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 Carmi, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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