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Trip from Olympia Fields, IL to Waukegan, IL

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

1h 38m

Distance

72.5 mi

117 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 31m ★
6 AM
1h 38m
8 AM
1h 53m
10 AM
1h 43m
12 PM
1h 42m
3 PM
1h 44m
5 PM
1h 52m
8 PM
1h 34m

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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Downtown Olympia Fields, IL, IL

Olympia Fields, IL

Willian Justen de Vasconcellos

Trip Overview

The drive from Olympia Fields, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 72.5 miles and takes about 1h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Tri-State Tollway, Kedzie Avenue, Belvidere Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 57.8 miles on Tri-State Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.33 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.

Midpoint

36.2 miles from Olympia Fields, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 72.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 38m drive with frequent turns across 72.5 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 57.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 8.8 miles in near IL 83 / West 147th Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.5 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 8.8 miles (IL 83 / West 147th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

5
8.8 mi into trip | ~16m in | IL 83 / West 147th Street

Turn right onto IL 83 / West 147th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
9.2 mi into trip | ~17m in

Turn left toward I 294 North: Wisconsin

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Exit 8 Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
5
9.8 mi into trip | ~18m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Merge onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
30.6 mi into trip | ~43m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
67.6 mi into trip | ~1h 28m 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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Tri-State Tollway 57.8 mi 1h 10m
Kedzie Avenue 6.8 mi 12m
Belvidere Road 1.9 mi 2m
Belvidere Street 1.6 mi 3m
Western Avenue 1 mi 1m
Vollmer Road 1 mi 1m
South Jackson Street 0.5 mi 1m
Glen Rock Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Tri-State Tollway — 57.8 mi, about 1h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West 207th Street

49 ft · 4 sec · West 207th Street
2

Turn right onto Western Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · Western Avenue
3

Turn left onto CH B66

1.0 mi · 1 min · Vollmer Road
4

Turn right onto Kedzie Avenue

6.8 mi · 12 min · Kedzie Avenue
5

Turn right onto IL 83

0.4 mi · 38 sec · West 147th Street
Use the straight lane.
6

Turn left

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 8 Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin Use the left lane.
7

Merge onto I 294

21 mi · 25 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

37 mi · 45 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 11A Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Turn straight onto IL 120

1.9 mi · 2 min · Belvidere Road
11

Continue on IL 120

1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
12

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
13

Turn left onto South Jackson Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Jackson Street
14

Arrive at destination

North Jackson Street

Trip Plan

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 36.2 miles from Olympia Fields, IL, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.8 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 16 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 36.2 miles or 50m 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 21m

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 Olympia Fields, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Olympia Fields, IL

This is one driving day of about 72.5 miles and 1h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Olympia Fields, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 57.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 36.2 mi from Olympia Fields, IL · 50m into the drive

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Elmhurst, IL

36 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

Orland Park, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Elmhurst, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 36.2 miles from Olympia Fields, 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Glo Jean's Kitchen

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hazel Crest, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 5.2

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17089917264

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Oak Brook, Illinois

1.8 mi

Nariman Restaurants

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bridgeview, Illinois

1.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukegan, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 72.5

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Hansa Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Libertyville, Illinois

2.9 mi

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gurnee, Illinois

3 mi

Glo Jean's Kitchen

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 5.2

Hazel Crest, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17089917264

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour Expensive mile 31.1

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

Nariman Restaurants

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 20.7

Bridgeview, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+17089075832

Visit website

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Expensive mile 31.1

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 25.9

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

Studious Hifi Coffee Shop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10.4

Blue Island, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+16123315934

Visit website

Golden Bear Pancake & Crepery Restaurants

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 15.5

Alsip, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–2:30 pm

+17086533454

Visit website

Taco Bell

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 25.9

Countryside, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+17083545535

Visit website

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 72.5

Waukegan, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Hansa Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 62.1

Libertyville, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18472268815

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 67.3

Gurnee, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 25.9

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

Pullman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 10
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.33 one way

$22.67 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $12.44 $24.89
premium $4.89 $13.95 $27.90
diesel $5.61 $16.01 $32.01

Estimated Tolls: $3.47

Tri-state Tollway (57.8 mi) $3.47

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

$11

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.8 0 $7.61 $3.48
Efficient EV 18.1 0 $6.34 $2.90
EV Truck/SUV 29 0 $10.15 $4.64

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (68% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Olympia Fields, IL

Night in Olympia Fields on Thursday

Local time

9:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Night in Waukegan on Thursday

Local time

9:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Widespread Fog

ESE 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:40PM CDT until April 18 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:40PM CDT until April 18 at 9:15AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

69°F

Elmhurst, IL

36 mi in

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

28 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 38m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Olympia Fields, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 72.5 miles and takes about 1h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, Kedzie Avenue, Belvidere Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.2 miles from Olympia Fields, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.33 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.5 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.8 miles (IL 83 / West 147th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Olympia Fields, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.

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