Origin
Elmwood, IL
Evening in Elmwood on Wednesday
Local time
6:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elmwood, IL to Waukegan, IL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
4h 20m
Distance
217.4 mi
350 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 7m
★
6 AM
4h 20m
8 AM
4h 47m
10 AM
4h 30m
12 PM
4h 27m
3 PM
4h 31m
5 PM
4h 45m
8 PM
4h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elmwood, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Elmwood, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 217.4 miles and takes about 4h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, Tri-State Tollway, I 55 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 65 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.99 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
108.7 miles from Elmwood, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 4h 20m highway drive covering 217.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and Tri-State Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 65 miles on I 80.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 65 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 76.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 217.4 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 76.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 141.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
76.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 East: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
7
141.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
7
168.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m 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
6
175.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
212.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 65 mi | 1h 9m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 41.8 mi | 50m |
| I 55 | 26.6 mi | 32m |
| County Road 1400 East | 17.8 mi | 20m |
| I 74 | 15.4 mi | 16m |
| IL 6 | 9.9 mi | 12m |
| South 4th Street | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| I 180 | 8.9 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 65 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elmwood, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on IL 8; IL 78
99 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Turn left onto IL 8; IL 78
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
North Magnolia Street
3
Turn right onto West Tucker Road
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Tucker Road
4
Turn left onto C-34
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Bell School Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 74 East
6
Merge onto I 74
15 mi
·
16 min
·
I 74
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward IL 6 North: Chillicothe
8
Merge onto IL 6
9.9 mi
·
12 min
·
IL 6
9
Continue on IL 29
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Galena Road
10
Continue on IL 29
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
North State Route 29
11
Continue on IL 29
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
South 4th Street
12
Continue on IL 29
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Street
13
Continue on IL 29
18 mi
·
20 min
·
County Road 1400 East
14
Merge onto I 180
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
I 180
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
16
Merge onto I 80
65 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the right lane.
18
Merge onto I 55
27 mi
·
32 min
·
I 55
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
3 min
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Use the right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
21
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi
·
45 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 11A
Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Belvidere Road
25
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
26
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
28
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 108.7 miles from Elmwood, IL, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65 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 48 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.7 miles or 2h 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 3h 29m
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 Elmwood, 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 Elmwood, IL
This is one driving day of about 217.4 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Elmwood, 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 80 for about 65 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 108.7 mi from Elmwood, IL · 2h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108.7 miles from Elmwood, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.99 one way
$67.98 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $37.32 | $74.63 |
| premium | $4.89 | $41.84 | $83.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.00 | $96.00 |
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
$34
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.2 | 0 | $22.83 | $10.44 |
| Efficient EV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.02 | $8.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87 | 1 | $30.44 | $13.91 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
6:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Peru, IL
109 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 20m 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 Elmwood, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 217.4 miles and takes about 4h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, Tri-State Tollway, I 55. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 108.7 miles from Elmwood, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.99 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 demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 217.4 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 76.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 141.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Elmwood, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Waukegan, IL
More from Elmwood, IL
More trips to Waukegan, IL
Explore more options from Elmwood, IL or browse trips ending in Waukegan, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Elmwood, IL or Waukegan, IL on MapSof.net.