Origin
Leland Grove, IL
Evening in Leland Grove on Wednesday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Leland Grove, IL to Waukegan, IL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
4h 35m
Distance
232.4 mi
374 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 22m
★
6 AM
4h 36m
8 AM
5h 2m
10 AM
4h 45m
12 PM
4h 42m
3 PM
4h 46m
5 PM
5h 1m
8 PM
4h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leland Grove, IL
fish socks
Trip Overview
The drive from Leland Grove, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 232.4 miles and takes about 4h 35m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, Tri-State Tollway, I 55 Business for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 150.2 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.33 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
116.2 miles from Leland Grove, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 4h 35m highway drive covering 232.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 150.2 miles on I 55.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 150.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Chatham Road.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 232.4 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 0.4 miles (Chatham Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Chatham Road
Turn right onto Chatham Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
33.7 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
63.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
183.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
7
227.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 26m 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
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 Leland Grove, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
63.1 mi in
|
~1h 16m
|
via I 55
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 150.2 mi | 2h 45m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 41.8 mi | 50m |
| I 55 Business | 21.4 mi | 23m |
| North Peoria Road | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| Veterans Parkway | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Belvidere Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Chatham Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Belvidere Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 150.2 mi, about 2h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leland Grove, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on Cherry Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Cherry Road
2
Turn right onto Chatham Road
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Chatham Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on North Bruns Lane
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North Bruns Lane
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
5
Merge onto IL 4
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Veterans Parkway
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on I 55 Business
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
North Peoria Road
Use the left lane.
7
Take the exit onto I 55 Business
21 mi
·
23 min
·
I 55 Business
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
121 mi
·
2 hr 14 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
3 min
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Use the right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
12
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi
·
45 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 11A
Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Belvidere Road
16
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
17
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
19
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 116.2 miles from Leland Grove, IL, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.2 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 51 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.2 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 41m
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 Leland Grove, 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 Leland Grove, IL
This is one driving day of about 232.4 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Leland Grove, 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 I 55 for about 150.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 116.2 mi from Leland Grove, IL · 2h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 116.2 miles from Leland Grove, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 150.2 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.33 one way
$72.67 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $39.89 | $79.78 |
| premium | $4.89 | $44.72 | $89.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.31 | $102.62 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.51
Tri-state Tollway
(41.8 mi)
$2.51
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
$36
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.7 | 0 | $24.40 | $11.16 |
| Efficient EV | 58.1 | 0 | $20.34 | $9.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93 | 1 | $32.54 | $14.87 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Wednesday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°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
8 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 35m 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 Leland Grove, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 232.4 miles and takes about 4h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Tri-State Tollway, I 55 Business. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 116.2 miles from Leland Grove, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.33 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 12 significant decision points across 232.4 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 0.4 miles (Chatham Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Leland Grove, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
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