Origin
Galena, IL
Evening in Galena on Tuesday
Local time
7:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Galena, IL to Waukegan, IL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 38m
Distance
152.2 mi
245 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 26m
★
6 AM
3h 38m
8 AM
4h 3m
10 AM
3h 47m
12 PM
3h 45m
3 PM
3h 48m
5 PM
4h 2m
8 PM
3h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Galena, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Galena, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 152.2 miles and takes about 3h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, West Belvidere Road, West State Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 85.3 miles on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.79 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
76.1 miles from Galena, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 38m drive with frequent turns across 152.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 85.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near South Bench Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 152.2 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (South Bench Street): Navigation decision point; at 86.4 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 86.7 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South Bench Street
At end of road, turn right onto South Bench Street
Navigation decision point
5
86.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
|
US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Take the exit onto US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway toward US 20 East: Belvedere
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 122A
Toward US 20 East: Belvedere
6
86.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
|
US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway toward US 20 East: Belvedere
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 122A
Toward US 20 East: Belvedere
5
114.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
|
IL 47
Turn right onto IL 47
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
129 mi into trip
|
~3h in
|
V45 / South River Road
At end of road, turn left onto V45 / South River Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Grant Memorial Highway | 85.3 mi | 1h 52m |
| West Belvidere Road | 10.5 mi | 16m |
| West State Road | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| Telegraph Street | 9 mi | 12m |
| IL 176 | 7.1 mi | 12m |
| Belvidere Road | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| IL 31 | 5.1 mi | 8m |
| West Grant Highway | 5 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
— 85.3 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Galena, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on South Bench Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Bench Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto South Bench Street
106 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Bench Street
3
Turn left onto US 20; IL 84
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Decatur Street
4
Continue on US 20; IL 84
13 mi
·
17 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
5
Continue on US 20
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Madison Street
6
Continue on US 20
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Diagonal Street
7
Continue on US 20
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
8
Continue on US 20
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
9
Continue on US 20
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Woodbine Street
10
Continue on US 20
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
11
Continue on US 20
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West North Avenue
12
Continue on US 20
33 mi
·
41 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
13
Continue on US 20
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
West State Road
14
Continue on US 20
14 mi
·
16 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Toward US 20 East: Chicago
15
Take the exit onto US 20
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Exit 122A
Toward US 20 East: Belvedere
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 20
14 mi
·
20 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Exit 122A
Toward US 20 East: Belvedere
17
Continue on US 20
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
West Grant Highway
18
Turn left onto IL 23
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
South State Street
19
Turn right onto IL 176
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Telegraph Street
20
Turn right onto IL 47
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 47
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto IL 176
7.1 mi
·
12 min
·
IL 176
22
Turn left onto IL 31
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
IL 31
23
Turn right onto A32
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Bull Valley Road
24
Continue on A32
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Charles J Miller Road
25
At end of road, turn left onto V45
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South River Road
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on V45
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
Chapel Hill Road
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn slight right
208 ft
·
5 sec
Use the right lane.
28
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West Elm Street
29
Continue on IL 120
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Rand Road
30
Continue on IL 120
10 mi
·
16 min
·
West Belvidere Road
Use the right lane.
31
Continue on IL 120
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Belvidere Road
Use the left lane.
32
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
33
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
34
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
35
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 76.1 miles from Galena, IL, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.3 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 80 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.1 miles or 1h 42m 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 53m
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 Galena, 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 Galena, IL
This is one driving day of about 152.2 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Galena, 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 U.S. Grant Memorial Highway for about 85.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.1 mi from Galena, IL · 1h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.1 miles from Galena, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before U.S. Grant Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.3 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
$23.79 one way
$47.59 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.13 | $52.25 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.29 | $58.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.60 | $67.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.7 | 0 | $15.98 | $7.31 |
| Efficient EV | 38.1 | 0 | $13.32 | $6.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.9 | 0 | $21.31 | $9.74 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Evening in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
7:51 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 38m 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 Galena, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 152.2 miles and takes about 3h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, West Belvidere Road, West State Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.1 miles from Galena, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.79 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 152.2 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (South Bench Street): Navigation decision point; at 86.4 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 86.7 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Galena, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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