Trip from Milan, IL to Waukegan, IL

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

7h 3m

Distance

339.7 mi

547 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

6h 52m ★

6 AM

7h 3m

8 AM

7h 26m

10 AM

7h 11m

12 PM

7h 9m

3 PM

7h 12m

5 PM

7h 24m

8 PM

6h 56m

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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Milan, IL

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Trip Overview

The drive from Milan, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 339.7 miles and takes about 7h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, County Road 925 E, United States Route 45 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 196 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $53.11 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

169.9 miles from Milan, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 42m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 7h 3m highway drive covering 339.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and County Road 925 E. The longest continuous stretch is about 196 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 38 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 196 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and County Road 925 E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 12th Street.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 339.7 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 0.1 miles (12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 93 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 291.5 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 17 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | 12th Street

Turn left onto 12th Street

Navigation decision point

93 mi into trip | ~2h 18m 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 straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 57 North: Chicago

291.5 mi into trip | ~5h 57m 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...

321.1 mi into trip | ~6h 37m 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.

336.5 mi into trip | ~6h 56m 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 Milan, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Terre Haute along the way.

Terre Haute

91.7 mi in | ~2h 16m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	196 mi	3h 35m
County Road 925 E	16.2 mi	24m
United States Route 45	14.9 mi	22m
County Road 1400E	14.3 mi	20m
Edens Expressway	13.5 mi	17m
County Road 200 East	10.7 mi	15m
County Road 1600E	8.5 mi	12m
South Skokie Highway	8.2 mi	10m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 196 mi, about 3h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

49 ft · 8 sec · this road

Turn left onto Lagoon Drive

310 ft · 19 sec · Lagoon Drive

Turn left onto 12th Street

0.1 mi · 37 sec · 12th Street

At end of road, turn right onto IL 14

0.8 mi · 1 min · Oak Street

Continue on IL 14

7.9 mi · 11 min · County Road 1400 North

Turn right onto US 45

0.7 mi · 1 min · County Road 200 East

Continue on US 45

1.1 mi · 1 min · South 1st Street

Continue on US 45

9.9 mi · 14 min · County Road 200 East

Continue on US 45

6.8 mi · 10 min · Loy Street

Continue on US 45

2.5 mi · 3 min · South 1st Street

Turn left onto US 45; IL 15

2.4 mi · 3 min · West Main Street

Turn right onto US 45

4.0 mi · 5 min · County Road 1600E

Continue on US 45

1.0 mi · 1 min · Washington Street

Continue on US 45

4.6 mi · 6 min · County Road 1600E

Continue on US 45

1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road 1800N

Continue on US 45

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Central Street

Continue on US 45

0.5 mi · 48 sec · Central Street

Continue on US 45

14 mi · 20 min · County Road 1400E

Turn right onto US 45

16 mi · 24 min · County Road 925 E

Continue on US 45

15 mi · 22 min · United States Route 45

Turn right onto US 40; US 45; IL 33

0.2 mi · 33 sec · West Fayette Avenue

Turn left onto US 45

1.7 mi · 2 min · South 3rd Street

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute

Merge onto I 57; I 70

0.8 mi · 55 sec · I 57; I 70

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57

195 mi · 3 hr 34 min · I 57

Toward I 57 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 94

3.3 mi · 4 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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 straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 90; I 94

8.2 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 94

14 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 41

3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 41

3.4 mi · 3 min · Skokie Valley Road

Continue on US 41

8.2 mi · 10 min · South Skokie Highway

Use the left lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward IL 120 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto IL 120

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Belvidere Road

Continue on IL 120

1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto South Jackson Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Jackson Street

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 169.9 miles from Milan, IL, or about 3h 42m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196 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 80 miles or 1h 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 169.9 miles or 3h 42m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 43m

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 Milan, 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 Milan, IL

This is one driving day of about 339.7 miles and 7h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Milan, 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 196 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 169.9 mi from Milan, IL · 3h 42m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

170 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

Plainfield, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 169.9 miles from Milan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 196 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

$53.11 one way

$106.22 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 119 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$58.31	$116.62
premium	$4.89	$65.37	$130.74
diesel	$5.61	$75.00	$150.00

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$53

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 118.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	101.9	1	$35.67	$16.31
Efficient EV	84.9	0	$29.72	$13.59
EV Truck/SUV	135.9	1	$47.56	$21.74

Gas CO2

119 kg

EV CO2

40 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 4 days ago

Origin

Milan, IL

Afternoon in Milan on Tuesday

Local time

2:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Afternoon in Waukegan on Tuesday

Local time

2:49 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

18 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 3m 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 Milan, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 339.7 miles and takes about 7h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, County Road 925 E, United States Route 45. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 169.9 miles from Milan, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $53.11 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.

On the drive from Milan, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Terre Haute along the way.

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