The drive from Harris, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 212.5 miles and takes about 4h 52m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 41, Georgetown Road, SR 63 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.6 miles on US 41.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.22 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
106.3 miles from Harris, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 52m. Total distance: 212.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 52m highway drive covering 212.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 41 and Georgetown Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 80.6 miles on US 41.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 41 is the longest continuous segment at about 80.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 41 and Georgetown Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 212.5 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 40.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 158.2 miles (I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.3 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
40.1 mi into trip|~58m in
Take the exit toward SR 63: Terre Haute, Newport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 4
Toward SR 63: Terre Haute, Newport
7
158.2 mi into trip|~3h 38m in|I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway toward I 94 West: Chicago Loop
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 West: Chicago Loop
8
164.3 mi into trip|~3h 46m in|I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Roa...
6
193.9 mi into trip|~4h 26m in|US 41 / Skokie Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41 / Skokie Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
209.3 mi into trip|~4h 45m in
Take the exit toward IL 120 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward IL 120 East
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Harris, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Newport along the way.
Newport
40.1 mi in|~58m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 41
80.6 mi
1h 45m
Georgetown Road
27.4 mi
41m
SR 63
18 mi
22m
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi
17m
Bishop Ford Freeway
10.7 mi
14m
I 74
9.1 mi
9m
South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi
10m
Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
US 41
— 80.6 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harris, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on East 1400th Road
0.9 mi·3 min·East 1400th Road
2
Turn left onto US 150; IL 1
7.9 mi·11 min·Georgetown Road
3
Continue on US 150; IL 1
0.3 mi·28 sec·1575 E US 36
4
Continue on US 150; IL 1
6.1 mi·9 min·Georgetown Road
5
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.9 mi·2 min·North State Street
6
Continue on US 150; IL 1
13 mi·20 min·Georgetown Road
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 74 East: Indianapolis
8
Merge onto I 74
9.1 mi·9 min·I 74
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 4Toward SR 63: Terre Haute, Newport
10
Merge onto SR 63
18 mi·22 min·SR 63
11
Continue on US 41
81 mi·1 hr 45 min·US 41
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto US 30
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Lincoln Highway
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on US 30
2.7 mi·5 min·Joliet Street
14
Continue on US 30
1.0 mi·2 min·Lincoln Highway
15
Continue on IL 83
3.1 mi·5 min·Glenwood Dyer Road
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward IL 394 North
17
Merge onto IL 394
3.7 mi·5 min·Calumet Expressway
18
Continue on I 94
7.9 mi·10 min·Bishop Ford Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
2.8 mi·3 min·Bishop Ford Freeway
Toward I 94 West: Chicago LoopUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
7.9 mi·11 min·Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 94
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi·4 min·Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi·3 min·Skokie Valley Road
26
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi·10 min·South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward IL 120 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi·33 sec·Belvidere Road
29
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
30
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
31
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
32
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 106.3 miles from Harris, IL, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.6 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 47 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.3 miles or 2h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
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 Harris, 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 Harris, IL
This is one driving day of about 212.5 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Harris, 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 US 41 for about 80.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 106.3 mi from Harris, IL
· 2h 25m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 161.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.22 one way
$66.44 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.48
$72.95
premium
$4.89
$40.89
$81.79
diesel
$5.61
$46.92
$93.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.8
0
$22.31
$10.20
Efficient EV
53.1
0
$18.59
$8.50
EV Truck/SUV
85
1
$29.75
$13.60
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Harris, IL
Late night
in Harris on Saturday
Local time
5:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Saturday
Local time
5:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 15 to 20 mph100% chanceLive 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
32 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
4h 52m 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 Harris, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 212.5 miles and takes about 4h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 41, Georgetown Road, SR 63. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106.3 miles from Harris, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.22 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 15 significant decision points across 212.5 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 40.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 158.2 miles (I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.3 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Harris, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Newport along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
