Origin
Fairbury, IL
Morning in Fairbury on Thursday
Local time
10:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairbury, IL to Waukegan, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 1m
Distance
144.1 mi
232 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 50m
★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 23m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairbury, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 144.1-mile drive from Fairbury, IL to Waukegan, IL is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 1 minute to complete. You'll primarily navigate on the Barack Obama Presidential Expressway and the Tri-State Tollway, with some time spent on North 1600 East Road. With a highway share of 53%, expect a good portion of your journey to be on faster roads. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $23. This route stays within the Midwest region, making it a straightforward journey through Illinois. Given its duration, it's well-suited for a single day of travel without the need for an overnight stop.
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
72 miles from Fairbury, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 144.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
The character of this drive is a mixed one, with 53% of it being on highways. You'll experience stretches of faster driving, including a significant 76.1-mile segment on the Barack Obama Presidential Expressway. This means you'll likely encounter a blend of efficient travel and possibly some local road transitions. The overall profile suggests a drive that balances speed with the necessity of navigating through different types of roadways, rather than a purely monotonous interstate experience.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Barack Obama Presidential Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 76.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.4 miles in near I 55 / Barack Obama Presidential Expressway.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 144.1 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 19.4 miles (I 55 / Barack Obama Presidential Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 97 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
19.4 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
I 55 / Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
Merge onto I 55 / Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
95.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m 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
5
97 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
6
102.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m 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
139.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Barack Obama Presidential Expressway | 76.1 mi | 1h 26m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 41.8 mi | 50m |
| North 1600 East Road | 7.3 mi | 9m |
| East 800 North Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| East 3100 North Road | 2 mi | 2m |
| North 1500 East Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Belvidere Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Belvidere Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
— 76.1 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairbury, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto US 24; CH 6
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Oak Street
3
Continue on US 24
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East 800 North Road
4
Continue on US 24
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East 3100 North Road
5
Turn right onto CR 13
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North 3360 East Road
6
Continue on CH 10
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
North 1600 East Road
7
Continue on South Manlove Street
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Manlove Street
8
Turn left onto East Torrance Avenue
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Torrance Avenue
9
Turn right onto South Mill Street
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
South Mill Street
10
Turn left onto West Reynolds Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Reynolds Street
11
Turn right onto IL 116
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
IL 116
12
Continue on IL 116
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
IL 116
13
Continue on IL 23
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Old Route 66
14
Turn left onto IL 23
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
West Custer Avenue
15
Continue on North 1500 East Road
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North 1500 East Road
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 55 North: Joliet
17
Merge onto I 55
76 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
3 min
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Use the right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
20
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi
·
45 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 11A
Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Belvidere Road
24
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
25
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
26
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
27
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour drive, starting in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Waukegan. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 76.1-mile stretch on the Barack Obama Presidential Expressway, as finding services might be less frequent during that segment. The estimated fuel cost of $23 is a good budget to keep in mind for this trip.
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 72 miles from Fairbury, IL, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.1 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 32 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72 miles or 1h 30m 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 26m
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 Fairbury, 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 Fairbury, IL
This is one driving day of about 144.1 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Fairbury, 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 Barack Obama Presidential Expressway for about 76.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72 mi from Fairbury, IL · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72 miles from Fairbury, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Barack Obama Presidential Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.1 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
$22.53 one way
$45.06 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.74 | $49.47 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.73 | $55.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.82 | $63.63 |
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
$23
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.13 | $6.92 |
| Efficient EV | 36 | 0 | $12.61 | $5.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.17 | $9.22 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
10 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
3h 1m 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 Fairbury, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 144.1 miles and takes about 3h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Barack Obama Presidential Expressway, Tri-State Tollway, North 1600 East Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72 miles from Fairbury, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.53 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 16 significant decision points across 144.1 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 19.4 miles (I 55 / Barack Obama Presidential Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 97 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Fairbury, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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