Origin
Hampshire, IL
Morning in Hampshire on Saturday
Local time
7:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
51.1 mi
82 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hampshire, IL
Wikimedia Commons
This 51.1-mile drive from Hampshire to Waukegan, Illinois, is a straightforward, one-day trip that will take about 1 hour and 23 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $8, it's an economical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes local roads, making it a more engaging experience than a typical interstate journey. You'll find this drive best suited for a single day, offering a manageable distance and duration for a round trip or as a segment of a larger adventure. Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you actively navigating.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 23m. Total distance: 51.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with only a 5% highway share. The journey unfolds primarily on Higgins Road and North Hough Road, offering a consistent local road feel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 8.5 miles on Higgins Road, so be prepared for frequent turns and intersections. This isn't a high-speed interstate cruise; rather, it's a more engaged driving experience that requires your attention as you navigate through familiar Illinois landscapes.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near IL 72 / East Oak Knoll Drive.
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 51.1 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.7 miles (IL 72 / East Oak Knoll Drive): Navigation decision point; at 4.6 miles (US 20; IL 47; IL 72): Navigation decision point; at 34.8 miles (IL 176): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto IL 72 / East Oak Knoll Drive
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 20; IL 47; IL 72
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto IL 176
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Schank Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Higgins Road | 8.5 mi | 13m |
| North Hough Road | 6.4 mi | 10m |
| Belvidere Road | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Penny Avenue | 5 mi | 7m |
| East Oak Knoll Drive | 4 mi | 5m |
| Ivanhoe Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| West Liberty Street | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| IL 176 | 2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hampshire, IL and Waukegan, IL.
Start on West Jefferson Avenue
Turn right onto South State Street
Turn left onto IL 72
Turn left onto US 20; IL 47; IL 72
Turn right onto IL 72
Continue on IL 72
Turn left onto IL 68
Continue on IL 59; IL 68
Continue on IL 59
Continue on South Hough Street
Continue on IL 59
Continue on Barrington Road
Turn right onto IL 176
Turn right onto IL 176
Continue on IL 176
Turn left onto Schank Avenue
Continue on IL 83
Continue on South Atkinson Road
Turn right onto IL 120
Continue on IL 120
Continue on IL 120
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.6 mi from Hampshire, IL · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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.
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 25.6 miles from Hampshire, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$7.99 one way
$15.98 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.77 | $17.54 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.83 | $19.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.28 | $22.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.3 | 0 | $5.37 | $2.45 |
| Efficient EV | 12.8 | 0 | $4.47 | $2.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.4 | 0 | $7.15 | $3.27 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Hampshire on Saturday
Local time
7:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Waukegan on Saturday
Local time
7:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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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