Trip from Columbia, IL to Waukegan, IL

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

6h 23m

Distance

336.3 mi

541 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

6h 11m ★

6 AM

6h 24m

8 AM

6h 48m

10 AM

6h 32m

12 PM

6h 30m

3 PM

6h 33m

5 PM

6h 47m

8 PM

6h 16m

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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Columbia, IL

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Trip Overview

The drive from Columbia, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 336.3 miles and takes about 6h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, Tri-State Tollway, IL 3 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 266.4 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.58 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

168.2 miles from Columbia, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 6h 23m highway drive covering 336.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 266.4 miles on I 55.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 266.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in near IL 3.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 336.3 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 2.4 miles (IL 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 166.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

2.4 mi into trip | ~3m in | IL 3

Keep slight right at fork onto IL 3 toward I 255 North, IL 3 North, US 50 East: East Saint Louis, Chicago, Great River Road Illinois North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 255 North, IL 3 North, US 50 East: Eas...

137.6 mi into trip | ~2h 33m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North: Chicago

166.9 mi into trip | ~3h 4m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

287.7 mi into trip | ~5h 19m in

Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin

331.5 mi into trip | ~6h 14m in

Take the exit toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 11A Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Columbia, IL and Waukegan, IL, road signs point toward Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.

Chicago

20.6 mi in | ~25m

Springfield

29.7 mi in | ~36m | via I 55

Kansas City

29.7 mi in | ~36m | via I 55

Peoria

166.9 mi in | ~3h 4m | via I 55

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	266.4 mi	4h 51m
Tri-State Tollway	41.8 mi	50m
IL 3	19.2 mi	22m
Belvidere Road	1.9 mi	2m
Belvidere Street	1.6 mi	3m
North Main Street	1.4 mi	2m
South Jackson Street	0.5 mi	1m
Glen Rock Avenue	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 266.4 mi, about 4h 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

78 ft · 11 sec · this road

Turn left onto North Main Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Main Street

Take the ramp

278 ft · 6 sec

Merge onto IL 3

0.9 mi · 1 min · IL 3

Keep slight right at fork onto IL 3

18 mi · 21 min · IL 3

Toward I 255 North, IL 3 North, US 50 East: East Saint Louis, Chicago, Great River Road Illinois North Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Indianapolis, Chicago

Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40

8.3 mi · 9 min · I 55; I 70; US 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

108 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

121 mi · 2 hr 14 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.6 mi · 3 min

Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin

Merge onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Exit 11A Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto IL 120

1.9 mi · 2 min · Belvidere Road

Continue on IL 120

1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

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

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 168.2 miles from Columbia, IL, or about 3h 6m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 266.4 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 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 168.2 miles or 3h 6m 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 6m

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 Columbia, 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 Columbia, IL

This is one driving day of about 336.3 miles and 6h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Columbia, 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 55 for about 266.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 168.2 mi from Columbia, IL · 3h 6m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

168 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

Decatur, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 168.2 miles from Columbia, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 266.4 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

$52.58 one way

$105.15 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 118 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$57.73	$115.45
premium	$4.89	$64.72	$129.44
diesel	$5.61	$74.25	$148.50

Estimated Tolls: $2.51

Tri-state Tollway (41.8 mi) $2.51

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$53

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$80–$105

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 117.7 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	100.9	1	$35.31	$16.14
Efficient EV	84.1	0	$29.43	$13.45
EV Truck/SUV	134.5	1	$47.08	$21.52

Gas CO2

118 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.

Forecast data refreshed 1 hour from now

Origin

Columbia, IL

Late night in Columbia on Wednesday

Local time

4:43 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Late night in Waukegan on Wednesday

Local time

4:43 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

53°F

Bloomington, IL

168 mi in

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

6h 23m 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 Columbia, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 336.3 miles and takes about 6h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 55, Tri-State Tollway, IL 3. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 168.2 miles from Columbia, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.58 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.

Between Columbia, IL and Waukegan, IL, road signs point toward Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.

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Trip from Columbia, IL to Waukegan, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Waukegan, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Columbia, IL

Waukegan, IL

Same local time

15 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 23m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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