Palestine, IL to Waukegan, IL is 291.9 miles and takes about 6h 5m via I 57 and IL 130, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. You'll find yourself on a highway-focused journey for most of the trip, making it a straightforward option for a single-day drive. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points with minimal complexity.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
145.9 miles from Palestine, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
168.6 mi
3h 5m
IL 130
34.1 mi
50m
East 1050th Avenue
19 mi
28m
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
East 1050th Ave
5.3 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 168.6 mi, about 3h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palestine, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on North Main Street
72 ft·8 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto IL 33
0.4 mi·44 sec·West Franklin Street
3
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 33
0.2 mi·24 sec·West Washington Street
4
Continue on IL 33
5.3 mi·8 min·East 1050th Ave
5
Continue on IL 33
2.7 mi·5 min·East Main Street
6
Continue on IL 33
6.9 mi·10 min·East 1050th Avenue
7
Continue on IL 33
0.6 mi·57 sec·W Main St
8
Continue on IL 33
0.5 mi·44 sec·East Main Street
9
Continue on IL 33
12 mi·18 min·East 1050th Avenue
10
Turn right onto IL 130
34 mi·50 min·IL 130
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto IL 16
2.5 mi·4 min·Lincoln Avenue
12
Continue on IL 16
5.3 mi·7 min·Illinois Route 16
13
Continue on IL 16
0.4 mi·38 sec·Charleston Avenue East
14
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
15
Merge onto I 57
169 mi·3 hr 5 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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 RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 94
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi·4 min·Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi·3 min·Skokie Valley Road
22
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi·10 min·South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward IL 120 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi·33 sec·Belvidere Road
25
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
26
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
28
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 5m estimated duration, departing in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your break, but ensure you're fueled up before embarking on the 168.6-mile stretch on I 57. The fuel cost is estimated at $46, so factor that into your budget. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the longer highway segment, as services can be spread out on interstates.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 145.9 miles from Palestine, IL, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.6 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 64 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.9 miles or 3h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 54m
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 Palestine, 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 Palestine, IL
This is one driving day of about 291.9 miles and 6h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Palestine, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 168.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 71.6 and 290.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
71.6 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
243.6 mi into trip|~4h 59m 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...
6
273.2 mi into trip|~5h 40m 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.
6
288.6 mi into trip|~5h 58m 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
5
290.9 mi into trip|~6h 3m in|Glen Rock Avenue
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.64 one way
$91.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$50.11
$100.21
premium
$4.89
$56.17
$112.35
diesel
$5.61
$64.45
$128.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.6
1
$30.65
$14.01
Efficient EV
73
0
$25.54
$11.68
EV Truck/SUV
116.8
1
$40.87
$18.68
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Palestine, IL
Afternoon
in Palestine on Saturday
Local time
1:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Afternoon
in Waukegan on Saturday
Local time
1:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°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
8 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 5m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 241.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is an 83% highway-focused drive, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 168.6 miles on I 57, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While the route utilizes some local roads like IL 130 and East 1050th Avenue, the overall character leans towards efficiency over winding country lanes. Expect a drive that prioritizes getting you to your destination reliably rather than offering constant scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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 168.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 130. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 71.6 miles in near I 57.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 291.9 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 71.6 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 243.6 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.2 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 5m. Total distance: 291.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Palestine, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 291.9 miles and takes about 6h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, IL 130, East 1050th Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 145.9 miles from Palestine, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.64 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 1 meaningful break 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 11 significant decision points across 291.9 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 71.6 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 243.6 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.2 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Palestine, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
