Origin
Pana, IL
Evening in Pana on Sunday
Local time
6:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pana, IL to Waukegan, IL
Drive Time
4h 5m
Distance
253.5 mi
408 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 52m
★
6 AM
4h 5m
8 AM
4h 31m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 12m
3 PM
4h 16m
5 PM
4h 30m
8 PM
3h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pana, IL
Pho Tomass
Trip Overview
Traveling from Pana to Waukegan takes you on a 253.5-mile journey across the Illinois heartland. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 5 minutes behind the wheel, making this a manageable one-day trip for most drivers. You should budget approximately $38 for fuel to cover the distance. Because this route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you will want to plan for a steady pace rather than a quick sprint. It is a straightforward trek within the Midwest that connects the central part of the state to the northern reaches near the lakefront. Whether you are heading north for business or a visit, this drive offers a practical way to traverse the state without the typical highway congestion.
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
126.7 miles from Pana, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged from start to finish. With a 0% highway share, you will navigate via South Poplar Street, East 1st Street, and Cedar Street rather than high-speed lanes. Because the longest stretch on South Poplar Street is 0 miles, you should anticipate constant maneuvering and frequent changes in your driving environment. This is not a monotonous cruise; it is a route that demands your full attention as you transition through various local corridors. Expect a more intimate, ground-level view of the landscape as you trade fast-paced interstate travel for a more methodical, localized experience.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Poplar 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 4h 5m 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 Pana, IL to Waukegan, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Poplar Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East 1st Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Cedar Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Jackson Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North 2600 East Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Decatur | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Route 51 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South Poplar Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pana, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on East 2nd Street
85 ft
·
8 sec
·
East 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto South Poplar Street
463 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Poplar Street
3
Turn right onto East 1st Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East 1st Street
4
Turn left onto Cedar Street
381 ft
·
5 sec
·
Cedar Street
5
Turn right onto Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Jackson Street
6
Continue on North 2600 East Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North 2600 East Road
7
Turn left
29 mi
·
33 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward Decatur
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Decatur
9
Keep slight right to continue on Decatur
144 ft
·
4 sec
·
Decatur
10
Turn straight onto South Business Route 51
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Business Route 51
11
Continue on South Main Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
South Main Street
12
Continue on South Franklin Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Franklin Street
13
Continue on North Water Street
27 mi
·
36 min
·
North Water Street
14
Continue on North 1450 East Road
15 mi
·
17 min
·
North 1450 East Road
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
122 mi
·
2 hr 16 min
·
I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
16
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
17
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 294 North: Wisconsin
18
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
19
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
37 mi
·
45 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
20
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
21
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Belvidere Road
22
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
23
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
24
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
25
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a four-hour journey, departing early in the morning allows you to clear the distance before traffic builds. You only have one planned stop on the itinerary, so use it wisely to stretch your legs and refuel your vehicle. Given that the route is entirely local, keep a close eye on your navigation to ensure you remain on the correct path through the various turns. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as you can easily adjust your pace to accommodate local road conditions. Remember to factor in that $38 fuel cost when budgeting for your trip, and try to time your single stop near the halfway point to keep your energy levels consistent.
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 126.7 miles from Pana, IL, or about 2h 2m 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 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.7 miles or 2h 2m 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 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 Pana, 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 Pana, IL
This is one driving day of about 253.5 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pana, 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 126.7 mi from Pana, IL · 2h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 126.7 miles from Pana, 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
$38.50 one way
$77.01 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $42.45 | $84.89 |
| premium | $4.80 | $47.86 | $95.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $56.32 | $112.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.1 | 0 | $26.62 | $12.17 |
| Efficient EV | 63.4 | 0 | $22.18 | $10.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.4 | 1 | $35.49 | $16.22 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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
Evening in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
6:46 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
12 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
4h 5m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Pana, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 253.5 miles and takes about 4h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Poplar Street, East 1st Street, Cedar Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 126.7 miles from Pana, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.50 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 5m 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 Pana, IL to Waukegan, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Pana, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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