Origin
Elgin, IL
Evening in Elgin on Tuesday
Local time
7:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elgin, IL to Waukegan, IL
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
1h 6m
Distance
40.6 mi
65 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 1m
★
6 AM
1h 7m
8 AM
1h 17m
10 AM
1h 10m
12 PM
1h 9m
3 PM
1h 11m
5 PM
1h 17m
8 PM
1h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elgin, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 40.6-mile drive from Elgin, IL to Waukegan, IL is a straightforward trip within the Midwest region, easily manageable in about 1 hour and 6 minutes. Given its short duration and modest fuel cost of approximately $6, it's perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. The route primarily utilizes local roads, offering a more connected experience to the surrounding communities rather than a high-speed transit. With no recommended stops, you can tailor your journey to your own schedule, making it a flexible option for a quick getaway or an errand run.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
20.3 miles from Elgin, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 32m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with only a 5% highway share. The main arteries guiding you include North Hough Road, Belvidere Road, and New Sutton Road. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 6.4 miles on North Hough Road, offering a brief period of consistent travel before more frequent turns resume. This driving profile suggests a journey that keeps you engaged with the local landscape and traffic patterns, rather than a long, monotonous highway cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Hough Road is the longest continuous segment at about 6.4 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 early in the drive near Center Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 40.6 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: near the start (Center Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Center Street
Turn left onto Center Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 Toll East: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 90 Toll East: Chicago
7
5.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward IL 59
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 59
Toward IL 59
5
5.9 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
IL 59 / New Sutton Road
Turn left onto IL 59 / New Sutton Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
26.3 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
Schank Avenue
Turn left onto Schank Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Elgin, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
Chicago
2.2 mi in
|
~4m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Hough Road | 6.4 mi | 10m |
| Belvidere Road | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| New Sutton Road | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| Ivanhoe Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| West Liberty Street | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 2.7 mi | 2m |
| IL 176 | 2 mi | 2m |
| Dundee Avenue | 1.7 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
North Hough Road
— 6.4 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on East Chicago Street
34 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Chicago Street
2
Turn left onto Center Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Center Street
3
Continue on Dundee Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Dundee Avenue
4
Turn right onto IL 25
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Page Avenue
5
Turn straight onto IL 25
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Liberty Street
6
Continue on IL 25
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Dundee Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 90 Toll West, I 90 Toll East: Rockford, Chicago
8
Continue on this road
486 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
Toward I 90 West, I 90 East: Rockford, Chicago
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 90 Toll East: Chicago
10
Merge onto I 90
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 59
Toward IL 59
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto IL 59
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
New Sutton Road
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on IL 59; IL 68
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Dundee Road
14
Continue on IL 59
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
New Sutton Road
15
Continue on South Hough Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Hough Street
16
Continue on IL 59
6.4 mi
·
10 min
·
North Hough Road
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on Barrington Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Barrington Road
18
Turn right onto IL 176
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
West Liberty Street
19
Turn right onto IL 176
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
IL 176
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on IL 176
152 ft
·
3 sec
·
IL 176
21
Turn left onto Schank Avenue
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Schank Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on IL 83
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Ivanhoe Road
23
Continue on South Atkinson Road
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
South Atkinson Road
24
Turn right onto IL 120
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Belvidere Road
25
Continue on IL 120
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Belvidere Road
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
27
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
28
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
29
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Since this 40.6-mile drive is so brief, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it suits you best, though leaving in the morning will help you avoid potential afternoon traffic. Plan for the entire trip to take just over an hour, so extended stops aren't necessary. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $6, and it’s always wise to start with a full tank. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to road signs for turns, especially on New Sutton Road, as the turn-heavy nature of this drive means navigation requires your focus.
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 20.3 miles from Elgin, IL, or about 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.4 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 40.6 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.3 miles or 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 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 Elgin, 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 Elgin, IL
This is one driving day of about 40.6 miles and 1h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elgin, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on North Hough Road for about 6.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.3 mi from Elgin, IL · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 40.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.3 miles from Elgin, 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
$6.35 one way
$12.69 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.97 | $13.94 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.81 | $15.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.96 | $17.93 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.19
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(2.7 mi)
$0.19
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
$6
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.26 | $1.95 |
| Efficient EV | 10.2 | 0 | $3.55 | $1.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.68 | $2.60 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Evening in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
7:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°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
1 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 6m 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 Elgin, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 40.6 miles and takes about 1h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Hough Road, Belvidere Road, New Sutton Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.3 miles from Elgin, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.35 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 40.6 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: near the start (Center Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Elgin, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
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