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Trip from East Moline, IL to Waukegan, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 40m

Distance

187.3 mi

301 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 28m ★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 49m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 4m
8 PM
3h 33m

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 Rock Island County, Illinois, United States

East Moline, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from East Moline, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 187.3 miles and takes about 3h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, I 88, Tri-State Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 95.7 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.28 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

93.7 miles from East Moline, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 187.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 40m drive with frequent turns across 187.3 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 95.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 141.7 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.

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 9 significant decision points across 187.3 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 141.7 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

6
141.7 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
146.5 mi into trip | ~2h 45m in

Take the exit toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 139 Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rock...
6
147 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International A...
5
147.3 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Merge onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
182.5 mi into trip | ~3h 30m 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 East Moline, IL and Waukegan, IL, road signs point toward Rockford and Milwaukee.

Rockford

146.5 mi in | ~2h 45m

Milwaukee

147 mi in | ~2h 47m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 95.7 mi 1h 46m
I 88 43.8 mi 46m
Tri-State Tollway 35.2 mi 43m
John Deere Expressway 4.5 mi 6m
Belvidere Road 1.9 mi 2m
Belvidere Street 1.6 mi 3m
Crosstown Avenue 1.1 mi 2m
30th Avenue 1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway — 95.7 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 7th Street

118 ft · 8 sec · 7th Street
2

Turn left onto 30th Avenue

1.0 mi · 2 min · 30th Avenue
3

Continue on Crosstown Avenue

1.1 mi · 2 min · Crosstown Avenue
4

Turn left onto IL 5

4.5 mi · 6 min · John Deere Expressway
5

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 5; IL 92

0.3 mi · 23 sec · IL 5; IL 92
6

Continue on I 88; IL 92

44 mi · 46 min · I 88; IL 92
7

Continue on I 88; IL 110

91 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110

4.7 mi · 5 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 139 Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
11

Merge onto I 294

35 mi · 43 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 11A Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn straight onto IL 120

1.9 mi · 2 min · Belvidere Road
14

Continue on IL 120

1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
15

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
16

Turn left onto South Jackson Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Jackson Street
17

Arrive at destination

North Jackson Street

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 93.7 miles from East Moline, IL, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.7 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 41 miles or 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 93.7 miles or 1h 46m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 55m

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 East Moline, 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 East Moline, IL

This is one driving day of about 187.3 miles and 3h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from East Moline, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 95.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 93.7 mi from East Moline, IL · 1h 46m into the drive

city on tripoints of DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Aurora, IL

94 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.

Popular next leg

Aurora, IL to Waukegan, IL

66.5 mi · 1h 28m

Pacing Suggestions

Morrison, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

DeKalb, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93.7 miles from East Moline, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.7 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.

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

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...

21 mi from route ~53 min detour Free near mile 148.6
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.28 one way

$58.56 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $32.15 $64.30
premium $4.89 $36.04 $72.09
diesel $5.61 $41.35 $82.71

Estimated Tolls: $7.85

Reagan Memorial Tollway (95.7 mi) $5.74
Tri-state Tollway (35.2 mi) $2.11

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

$29

Tolls

$8

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 56.2 0 $19.67 $8.99
Efficient EV 46.8 0 $16.39 $7.49
EV Truck/SUV 74.9 0 $26.22 $11.99

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

East Moline, IL

Afternoon in East Moline on Thursday

Local time

4:31 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Afternoon in Waukegan on Thursday

Local time

4:31 PM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

51°F

Aurora, IL

94 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

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

3h 40m 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 East Moline, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 187.3 miles and takes about 3h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, I 88, Tri-State Tollway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 93.7 miles from East Moline, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.28 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 187.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 141.7 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between East Moline, IL and Waukegan, IL, road signs point toward Rockford and Milwaukee.

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