Origin
Oak Forest, IL
Evening in Oak Forest on Sunday
Local time
6:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oak Forest, IL to Waukegan, IL
Drive Time
1h 16m
Distance
64.3 mi
104 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 10m
★
6 AM
1h 16m
8 AM
1h 28m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 19m
3 PM
1h 21m
5 PM
1h 28m
8 PM
1h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oak Forest, IL
Lauri Poldre
Trip Overview
Spanning 64.3 miles, this trek from Oak Forest to Waukegan serves as a straightforward Midwestern connection within Illinois. You should anticipate a travel time of approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of roughly $10, the drive is highly economical for travelers moving between these two points. Because the route is relatively short, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay or mid-trip hotel accommodations. Relying on a combination of local streets and major thoroughfares, the trip offers a practical way to traverse the region without the need for multiple stops.
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
32.2 miles from Oak Forest, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate through the area. You will start your journey on West 159th Street before transitioning onto Cicero Avenue and eventually connecting to I-294 North. Unlike long-haul interstate routes, this drive features a 0% highway share, meaning you will spend your time navigating through local infrastructure rather than cruising on open stretches. With the longest uninterrupted stretch being zero miles on West 159th Street, the experience is defined by constant movement and frequent changes in direction. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
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.
West 159th 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. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Oak Forest, IL to Waukegan, IL is easy. At 1h 16m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Oak Forest, IL to Waukegan, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West 159th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Cicero Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 294 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tri-State Tollway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| IL 120 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Belvidere Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Belvidere Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Glen Rock Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
West 159th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Forest, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on the route
118 ft
·
11 sec
·
the route
2
Turn uturn onto West 159th Street
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
West 159th Street
3
Turn left onto Cicero Avenue
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Cicero Avenue
4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 294 North: Wisconsin
5
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
17 mi
·
21 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
6
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi
·
45 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
7
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
8
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Belvidere Road
9
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
10
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
11
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
12
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this 64.3-mile trip is quite manageable, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because the route relies heavily on local roads, try to avoid peak traffic hours to ensure you stay within your estimated 1 hour and 16-minute duration. You won't need to plan for formal stops, but keeping your fuel tank ready for the $10 trip cost is a smart move before you pull away from Oak Forest. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, double-check your GPS navigation settings before leaving to ensure you are prepared for the frequent transitions between 159th Street, Cicero Avenue, and I-294. Keeping a steady pace is the best way to navigate these local segments efficiently.
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 32.2 miles from Oak Forest, IL, or about 38m 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 64.3 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.2 miles or 38m 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 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 Oak Forest, 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 Oak Forest, IL
This is one driving day of about 64.3 miles and 1h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Oak Forest, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.2 mi from Oak Forest, IL · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 64.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.2 miles from Oak Forest, 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
$9.77 one way
$19.53 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $10.77 | $21.53 |
| premium | $4.80 | $12.14 | $24.28 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $14.29 | $28.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.75 | $3.09 |
| Efficient EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.63 | $2.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.7 | 0 | $9.00 | $4.12 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (64% 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.
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Evening in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
6:45 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
23 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 16m 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 Oak Forest, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 64.3 miles and takes about 1h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West 159th Street, Cicero Avenue, I 294 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.2 miles from Oak Forest, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.77 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.
The drive from Oak Forest, IL to Waukegan, IL is easy. At 1h 16m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Oak Forest, IL to Waukegan, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Oak Forest, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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