Origin
Crete, IL
Morning in Crete on Thursday
Local time
10:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Crete, IL to Waukegan, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 31m
Distance
84.4 mi
136 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Crete, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Crete, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 84.4 miles and takes about 1h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Exchange Street, Calumet Expressway, Bishop Ford Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.19 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.2 miles from Crete, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 84.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 31m drive with frequent turns across 84.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Exchange 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. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Crete, IL to Waukegan, IL is easy. At 1h 31m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Crete, IL to Waukegan, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Exchange Street | — | — |
| Calumet Expressway | — | — |
| Bishop Ford Freeway | — | — |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | — | — |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | — | — |
| Kennedy Expressway | — | — |
| Edens Expressway | — | — |
| Skokie Highway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
West Exchange Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crete, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on Main Street
49 ft
·
5 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto West Exchange Street
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Exchange Street
3
Turn left onto Calumet Expressway
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Calumet Expressway
4
Continue on Bishop Ford Freeway
7.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Bishop Ford Freeway
5
Keep slight left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Bishop Ford Freeway
6
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
7
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
9
Continue on Edens Expressway
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
10
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Skokie Highway
11
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Skokie Valley Road
12
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
South Skokie Highway
13
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
IL 120 East
14
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Belvidere Road
15
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
16
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
17
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 42.2 miles from Crete, IL, or about 45m 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 19 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.2 miles or 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 17m
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 Crete, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Crete, IL
This is one driving day of about 84.4 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Crete, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.2 mi from Crete, IL · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.2 miles from Crete, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.19 one way
$26.39 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.49 | $28.98 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.24 | $32.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.63 | $37.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.3 | 0 | $8.86 | $4.05 |
| Efficient EV | 21.1 | 0 | $7.39 | $3.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.8 | 0 | $11.82 | $5.40 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Morning in Waukegan on Thursday
Local time
10:29 AM
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
9 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
1h 31m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Crete, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 84.4 miles and takes about 1h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Exchange Street, Calumet Expressway, Bishop Ford Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.2 miles from Crete, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Crete, IL to Waukegan, IL is easy. At 1h 31m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Crete, IL to Waukegan, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Crete, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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