Origin
Mount Zion, IL
Afternoon in Mount Zion on Sunday
Local time
4:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Zion, IL to Waukegan, IL
Drive Time
3h 44m
Distance
228.9 mi
368 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 32m
★
6 AM
3h 45m
8 AM
4h 10m
10 AM
3h 53m
12 PM
3h 51m
3 PM
3h 55m
5 PM
4h 9m
8 PM
3h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Zion, IL
Art Merikotka
Trip Overview
The drive from Mount Zion, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 228.9 miles and takes about 3h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Main Street, State Route 121, South Mount Zion Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.77 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
114.5 miles from Mount Zion, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 44m drive with frequent turns across 228.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Main Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 44m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Mount Zion, IL to Waukegan, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| State Route 121 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Mount Zion Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North 22nd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-72 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 57 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
West Main Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Zion, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on North Henderson Street
66 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Henderson Street
2
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
West Main Street
3
Turn slight left onto South State Route 121
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South State Route 121
4
Continue on South Mount Zion Road
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South Mount Zion Road
5
Turn left
3.1 mi
·
4 min
6
Turn right onto North 22nd Street
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
North 22nd Street
7
Continue straight
1.0 mi
·
1 min
8
Take the ramp right toward I-72 East: Champaign
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I-72 East: Champaign
9
Merge slight left
37 mi
·
39 min
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 57 North: Chicago
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
I 57 North: Chicago
11
Merge slight left
124 mi
·
2 hr 17 min
12
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
13
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
14
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
15
Continue on Edens Expressway
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
16
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Skokie Highway
17
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Skokie Valley Road
18
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
South Skokie Highway
19
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
IL 120 East
20
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Belvidere Road
21
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
22
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
23
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
24
Arrive at your destination
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 114.5 miles from Mount Zion, IL, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
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 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.5 miles or 1h 52m 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 4m
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 Mount Zion, 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 Mount Zion, IL
This is one driving day of about 228.9 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mount Zion, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 114.5 mi from Mount Zion, IL · 1h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 114.5 miles from Mount Zion, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.77 one way
$69.54 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $38.33 | $76.65 |
| premium | $4.80 | $43.21 | $86.42 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $50.85 | $101.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.7 | 0 | $24.03 | $10.99 |
| Efficient EV | 57.2 | 0 | $20.03 | $9.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.6 | 1 | $32.05 | $14.65 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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
Afternoon in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
4:19 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
29 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
3h 44m 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 Mount Zion, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 228.9 miles and takes about 3h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Main Street, State Route 121, South Mount Zion Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 114.5 miles from Mount Zion, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.77 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 44m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Mount Zion, IL to Waukegan, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Mount Zion, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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