Origin
Metropolis, IL
Evening in Metropolis on Sunday
Local time
6:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Metropolis, IL to Waukegan, IL
Drive Time
7h 40m
Distance
403.6 mi
650 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 31m
★
6 AM
7h 40m
8 AM
8h 0m
10 AM
7h 47m
12 PM
7h 45m
3 PM
7h 48m
5 PM
7h 59m
8 PM
7h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Metropolis, IL
Paolo Sanchez
Trip Overview
The drive from Metropolis, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 403.6 miles and takes about 7h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, I 24 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 195.2 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $61.30 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
201.8 miles from Metropolis, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 44m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 7h 40m highway drive covering 403.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 195.2 miles on I 57.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 195.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 37.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 403.6 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 37.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 156.8 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 355.4 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 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
37.4 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 44B
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
7
156.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
|
I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
8
355.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 34m 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 none lane.
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Roa...
6
384.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 14m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
400.4 mi into trip
|
~7h 33m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 195.2 mi | 3h 34m |
| Ken Gray Expressway | 119.1 mi | 2h 8m |
| I 24 | 25.4 mi | 27m |
| Edens Expressway | 13.5 mi | 17m |
| South Skokie Highway | 8.2 mi | 10m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.2 mi | 11m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 7.9 mi | 11m |
| North Avenue | 6.3 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 195.2 mi, about 3h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metropolis, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on West 5th Street
45 ft
·
8 sec
·
West 5th Street
2
Turn left onto US 45
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Ferry Street
3
Turn left onto US 45
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West 10th Street
4
Turn right onto Pearl Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Pearl Street
5
Turn slight left onto North Avenue
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
North Avenue
6
Continue on New Columbia Road
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
New Columbia Road
7
Turn right onto Big Bay Road
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Big Bay Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward New Columbia, Big Bay
9
Merge onto I 24
25 mi
·
27 min
·
I 24
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 44B
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
11
Merge onto I 57
52 mi
·
55 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
67 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
195 mi
·
3 hr 34 min
·
I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
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 Road
Use the none lane.
16
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 94
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Skokie Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Skokie Valley Road
Use the none lane.
20
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
South Skokie Highway
Use the none lane.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward IL 120 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Belvidere Road
23
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
Use the none lane.
24
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
26
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 201.8 miles from Metropolis, IL, or about 3h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 195.2 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 89 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.8 miles or 3h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 20m
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 Metropolis, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Metropolis, IL
This is one driving day of about 403.6 miles and 7h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Metropolis, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 195.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 201.8 mi from Metropolis, IL · 3h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
202 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 89 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 201.8 miles from Metropolis, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 195.2 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
$61.30 one way
$122.61 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
141 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $67.58 | $135.16 |
| premium | $4.80 | $76.19 | $152.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $89.67 | $179.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 121.1 | 1 | $42.38 | $19.37 |
| Efficient EV | 100.9 | 1 | $35.32 | $16.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 161.4 | 2 | $56.50 | $25.83 |
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Sunday
Local time
6:46 PM
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
34 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
7h 40m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Metropolis, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 403.6 miles and takes about 7h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, I 24. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 201.8 miles from Metropolis, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $61.30 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 16 significant decision points across 403.6 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 37.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 156.8 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 355.4 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Metropolis, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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