Origin
Centralia, IL
Evening in Centralia on Wednesday
Local time
5:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Centralia, IL to Waukegan, IL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
4h 56m
Distance
312.9 mi
504 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 43m
★
6 AM
4h 56m
8 AM
5h 23m
10 AM
5h 5m
12 PM
5h 3m
3 PM
5h 7m
5 PM
5h 22m
8 PM
4h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Centralia, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Centralia, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 312.9 miles and takes about 4h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East 3rd Street, South Elm Street, South Broadway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.92 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
156.5 miles from Centralia, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 56m drive with frequent turns across 312.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East 3rd Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 56m 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 Centralia, IL to Waukegan, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East 3rd Street | — | — |
| South Elm Street | — | — |
| South Broadway | — | — |
| County Road 180 East | — | — |
| South Mine Street | — | — |
| N Mine St | — | — |
| North Mine Street | — | — |
| I 57 North | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
East 3rd Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centralia, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on South Poplar Street
82 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Poplar Street
2
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
436 ft
·
25 sec
·
East 3rd Street
3
Turn left onto South Elm Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Elm Street
4
Continue on South Broadway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Broadway
5
Continue on County Road 180 East
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
County Road 180 East
6
Continue on South Mine Street
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
·
South Mine Street
7
Continue on N Mine St
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
N Mine St
8
Continue on North Mine Street
348 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Mine Street
9
Take the exit slight right
135 ft
·
4 sec
10
Turn right
7.8 mi
·
9 min
11
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
12
Merge slight left
47 mi
·
50 min
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195 mi
·
3 hr 34 min
·
I 57 North: Chicago
14
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
15
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
16
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
17
Continue on Edens Expressway
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
18
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Skokie Highway
19
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Skokie Valley Road
20
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
South Skokie Highway
21
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
IL 120 East
22
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Belvidere Road
23
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
24
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
25
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
26
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 156.5 miles from Centralia, IL, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
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 69 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.5 miles or 2h 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 4h 2m
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 Centralia, 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 Centralia, IL
This is one driving day of about 312.9 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Centralia, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 156.5 mi from Centralia, IL · 2h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
156 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 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 156.5 miles from Centralia, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.92 one way
$97.84 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
110 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $53.71 | $107.42 |
| premium | $4.89 | $60.21 | $120.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $69.08 | $138.17 |
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: 109.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.9 | 1 | $32.85 | $15.02 |
| Efficient EV | 78.2 | 0 | $27.38 | $12.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 125.2 | 1 | $43.81 | $20.03 |
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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
Evening in Waukegan on Wednesday
Local time
5:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°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
12 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 56m 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 Centralia, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 312.9 miles and takes about 4h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East 3rd Street, South Elm Street, South Broadway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 156.5 miles from Centralia, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.92 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.
This is a straightforward 4h 56m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Centralia, IL to Waukegan, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Centralia, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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