Trip from Hickory Hills, IL to Waukegan, IL

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

1h 13m

Distance

55.7 mi

90 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 18 min

4 AM

1h 8m ★

6 AM

1h 14m

8 AM

1h 26m

10 AM

1h 18m

12 PM

1h 17m

3 PM

1h 19m

5 PM

1h 25m

8 PM

1h 10m

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

This 55.7-mile drive from Hickory Hills, IL to Waukegan, IL will take you about 1 hour and 13 minutes. It's a straightforward trip primarily using the Tri-State Tollway and local roads like Belvidere Road and Belvidere Street. With a fuel cost estimated at $9, this is an easy one-day excursion. The route stays within the Midwest region, making it a simple point-to-point journey. Given the short duration, you won't need to worry about overnight stays, allowing for a flexible schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

27.8 miles from Hickory Hills, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive with a 0% highway share, meaning you'll be navigating city streets and arterial roads for the majority of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 49.1 miles on the Tri-State Tollway, which will transition you into the local road network. This route offers a consistent driving experience without long periods of highway cruising, requiring your attention to traffic signals and turns.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 49.1 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 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near South Roberts Road.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.7 miles you will encounter 8 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 Roberts Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

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

4

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | South Roberts Road

Turn right onto South Roberts Road

Navigation decision point

5

1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Merge onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

6

13.8 mi into trip | ~19m 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

50.8 mi into trip | ~1h 4m 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

5

54.7 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in | Glen Rock Avenue

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Tri-State Tollway	49.1 mi	59m
Belvidere Road	1.9 mi	2m
Belvidere Street	1.6 mi	3m
West 95th Street	0.6 mi	1m
South Roberts Road	0.5 mi	1m
South Jackson Street	0.5 mi	1m
Glen Rock Avenue	0.5 mi	1m
91st Street	0.4 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Tri-State Tollway — 49.1 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 91st Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · 91st Street

2

Turn right onto South Roberts Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Roberts Road

3

Turn left onto US 12; US 20

0.6 mi · 1 min · West 95th Street

4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin

5

Merge onto I 294

12 mi · 14 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Exit 11A Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

8

Turn straight onto IL 120

1.9 mi · 2 min · Belvidere Road

9

Continue on IL 120

1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

10

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

Use the left lane.

11

Turn left onto South Jackson Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Jackson Street

12

Arrive at destination

North Jackson Street

Trip Plan

For this relatively short trip of just over an hour, you have a lot of flexibility. Consider departing outside of peak rush hour times to make the local road navigation smoother. While there are no designated stops mentioned, you'll want to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since the estimated fuel cost is $9. The longest stretch on the tollway is significant, so be prepared for that before you start navigating the local streets. This drive is easily manageable in a single day, so focus on enjoying the journey without the pressure of a long haul.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 27.8 miles from Hickory Hills, IL, or about 36m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.1 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 55.7 miles or 1h 13m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 27.8 miles or 36m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h

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 Hickory Hills, 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 Hickory Hills, IL

This is one driving day of about 55.7 miles and 1h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hickory Hills, IL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 49.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 27.8 mi from Hickory Hills, IL · 36m into the drive

city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Des Plaines, IL

28 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

Palatine, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Des Plaines, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 27.8 miles from Hickory Hills, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

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...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 1.9

Caution: Road Construction Near the Park

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.71 one way

$17.42 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 20 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$9.56	$19.12
premium	$4.89	$10.72	$21.44
diesel	$5.61	$12.30	$24.60

Estimated Tolls: $2.95

Tri-state Tollway (49.1 mi) $2.95

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

$9

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	16.7	$5.85	$2.67
Efficient EV	13.9	$4.87	$2.23
EV Truck/SUV	22.3	$7.80	$3.56

Gas CO2

19 kg

EV CO2

7 kg (63% 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Hickory Hills, IL

Late night in Hickory Hills on Wednesday

Local time

12:37 AM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Late night in Waukegan on Wednesday

Local time

12:37 AM

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

10 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

1h 13m 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 Hickory Hills, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 55.7 miles and takes about 1h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, Belvidere Road, Belvidere Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 27.8 miles from Hickory Hills, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.71 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.7 miles you will encounter 8 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 Roberts Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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

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Trip from Hickory Hills, IL to Waukegan, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Waukegan, IL

National Parks Near This Route

Pullman National Historical Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Hickory Hills, IL

Waukegan, IL

Same local time

10 degrees cooler at arrival

1h 13m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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