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Trip from Guilford, IL to Waukegan, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 36m

Distance

148.6 mi

239 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 25m ★
6 AM
3h 37m
8 AM
4h 2m
10 AM
3h 46m
12 PM
3h 43m
3 PM
3h 47m
5 PM
4h 1m
8 PM
3h 30m

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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Trip Overview

The drive from Guilford, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 148.6 miles and takes about 3h 36m 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 72.5 miles on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.23 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

74.3 miles from Guilford, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 148.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 36m drive with frequent turns across 148.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 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 72.5 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 82.8 miles in near US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 148.6 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 82.8 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 83.1 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 111 miles (IL 47): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

5
82.8 mi into trip | ~1h 52m 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
83.1 mi into trip | ~1h 53m 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
111 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in | IL 47

Turn right onto IL 47

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
125.4 mi into trip | ~2h 59m in | V45 / South River Road

At end of road, turn left onto V45 / South River Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
147.7 mi into trip | ~3h 34m in | Glen Rock Avenue

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway 72.5 mi 1h 34m
West Belvidere Road 10.5 mi 16m
West State Road 9.8 mi 11m
Telegraph Street 9 mi 12m
North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road 8.1 mi 14m
IL 176 7.1 mi 12m
Belvidere Road 6.3 mi 9m
IL 31 5.1 mi 8m
Longest stretch: U.S. Grant Memorial Highway — 72.5 mi, about 1h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Guilford Road

0.4 mi · 56 sec · West Guilford Road
2

Continue on West Rawlins Road

1.9 mi · 4 min · West Rawlins Road
3

At end of road, turn right onto CR 4

8.1 mi · 14 min · North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
4

At end of road, turn left onto US 20

0.7 mi · 1 min · Madison Street
5

Continue on US 20

0.1 mi · 20 sec · West Diagonal Street
6

Continue on US 20

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
7

Continue on US 20

4.6 mi · 6 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
8

Continue on US 20

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Woodbine Street
9

Continue on US 20

6.4 mi · 8 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
10

Continue on US 20

2.1 mi · 3 min · West North Avenue
11

Continue on US 20

33 mi · 41 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
12

Continue on US 20

9.8 mi · 11 min · West State Road
13

Continue on US 20

14 mi · 16 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Toward US 20 East: Chicago
14

Take the exit onto US 20

0.2 mi · 30 sec · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Exit 122A Toward US 20 East: Belvedere
15

Keep slight right at fork onto US 20

14 mi · 20 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Exit 122A Toward US 20 East: Belvedere
16

Continue on US 20

5.0 mi · 7 min · West Grant Highway
17

Turn left onto IL 23

0.5 mi · 43 sec · South State Street
18

Turn right onto IL 176

9.0 mi · 12 min · Telegraph Street
19

Turn right onto IL 47

0.8 mi · 1 min · IL 47
Use the right lane.
20

Turn left onto IL 176

7.1 mi · 12 min · IL 176
21

Turn left onto IL 31

5.1 mi · 8 min · IL 31
22

Turn right onto A32

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Bull Valley Road
23

Continue on A32

1.2 mi · 2 min · Charles J Miller Road
24

At end of road, turn left onto V45

0.9 mi · 1 min · South River Road
Use the straight lane.
25

Continue on V45

0.7 mi · 58 sec · Chapel Hill Road
Use the straight lane.
26

Turn slight right

208 ft · 5 sec
Use the right lane.
27

Turn straight onto IL 120

1.1 mi · 1 min · West Elm Street
28

Continue on IL 120

1.1 mi · 1 min · Rand Road
29

Continue on IL 120

10 mi · 16 min · West Belvidere Road
Use the right lane.
30

Continue on IL 120

6.3 mi · 9 min · Belvidere Road
Use the left lane.
31

Continue on IL 120

1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
32

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
33

Turn left onto South Jackson Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Jackson Street
34

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 74.3 miles from Guilford, IL, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.5 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 33 miles or 52m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 74.3 miles or 1h 43m 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 Guilford, 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 Guilford, IL

This is one driving day of about 148.6 miles and 3h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Guilford, 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 72.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 74.3 mi from Guilford, IL · 1h 43m into the drive

Downtown Harlem, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Harlem, IL

74 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

Lena, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.3 miles from Guilford, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before U.S. Grant Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.5 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukegan, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 148.6

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Summer Moon Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crystal Lake, Illinois

2.2 mi

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 148.6

Waukegan, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Summer Moon Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv mile 116.8

Crystal Lake, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+18158934019

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 148.6

Gurnee, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

Visit website

Midway Village Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 84.9

Rockford, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18153979112

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.23 one way

$46.46 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.51 $51.02
premium $4.89 $28.60 $57.19
diesel $5.61 $32.81 $65.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 52 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.6 0 $15.60 $7.13
Efficient EV 37.2 0 $13.00 $5.94
EV Truck/SUV 59.4 0 $20.80 $9.51

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

17 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 17, 2026

Origin

Guilford, IL

Morning in Guilford on Friday

Local time

10:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Morning in Waukegan on Friday

Local time

10:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Widespread Fog

SE 0 to 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

49°F

Harlem, IL

74 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

6 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 36m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Guilford, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 148.6 miles and takes about 3h 36m 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 74.3 miles from Guilford, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.23 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 148.6 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 82.8 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 83.1 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 111 miles (IL 47): Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Guilford, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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