Origin
Park Ridge, IL
Morning in Park Ridge on Wednesday
Local time
6:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Park Ridge, IL to Waukegan, IL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
43m
Distance
30.6 mi
49 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 40m
★
6 AM
0h 44m
8 AM
0h 51m
10 AM
0h 46m
12 PM
0h 45m
3 PM
0h 47m
5 PM
0h 51m
8 PM
0h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Park Ridge, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 30.6-mile drive from Park Ridge, IL, to Waukegan, IL, is a quick trip that can easily be completed in about 43 minutes. With a modest fuel cost estimate of $5, it's an economical option for a single-day excursion within the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes local roads with some time on the Tri-State Tollway, making it a practical choice for a short getaway. You won't need an overnight stay for this journey; it's designed for a single day of travel.
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
15.3 miles from Park Ridge, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 30.6-mile trip, as indicated by the profile. While you'll spend some time on the Tri-State Tollway, its contribution to the total distance is moderate, with the longest continuous stretch being 21 miles. The majority of your journey will involve navigating local streets like North Greenwood Avenue and Belvidere Road. This blend means you'll experience varying speeds and frequent directional changes, offering a dynamic driving experience rather than a monotonous highway cruise. With a 0% highway share, be prepared for more interaction with local traffic patterns.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 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 21 miles.
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. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Greenwood Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 43m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Greenwood Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Greenwood Avenue
Turn right onto North Greenwood Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
4.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
5
4.8 mi into trip
|
~9m 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.
7
25.7 mi into trip
|
~34m 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
5
29.6 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
Glen Rock Avenue
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Tollway | 21 mi | 24m |
| North Greenwood Avenue | 3 mi | 6m |
| Belvidere Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Belvidere Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| West Golf Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| South Jackson Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Glen Rock Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Jackson Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 21 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Park Ridge, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on this road
24 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto North Greenwood Avenue
3.0 mi
·
6 min
·
North Greenwood Avenue
3
Turn left onto IL 58
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Golf Road
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 294
21 mi
·
24 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 11A
Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Belvidere Road
8
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
9
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
11
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, under-an-hour drive, you have a lot of flexibility with when you depart. Leaving Park Ridge during off-peak hours can help you avoid potential congestion on the local roads. With a $5 fuel cost, you likely won't need to worry about refueling mid-trip. Keep an eye out for the transitions between the Tri-State Tollway and local roads like North Greenwood Avenue and Belvidere Road, as these can be points of increased traffic. Given the short duration and minimal fuel cost, this drive is best enjoyed without rigid schedules, allowing you to adapt to traffic as you go.
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 15.3 miles from Park Ridge, IL, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21 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 30.6 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.3 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 34m
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 Park Ridge, 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 Park Ridge, IL
This is one driving day of about 30.6 miles and 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Park Ridge, 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.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 21 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.3 mi from Park Ridge, IL · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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 30.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.3 miles from Park Ridge, 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
$4.78 one way
$9.57 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.25 | $10.51 |
| premium | $4.89 | $5.89 | $11.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.76 | $13.51 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.26
Tri-state Tollway
(21 mi)
$1.26
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
$5
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.21 | $1.47 |
| Efficient EV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.68 | $1.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.28 | $1.96 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Morning in Waukegan on Wednesday
Local time
6:25 AM
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
43m 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 Park Ridge, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 30.6 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, North Greenwood Avenue, Belvidere Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.3 miles from Park Ridge, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.78 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 is a straightforward 43m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Greenwood Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Park Ridge, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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