Trip from Pecatonica, IL to Waukegan, IL

Drive Time

2h 13m

Distance

90.3 mi

145 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

2h 4m ★

6 AM

2h 14m

8 AM

2h 32m

10 AM

2h 20m

12 PM

2h 18m

3 PM

2h 21m

5 PM

2h 31m

8 PM

2h 8m

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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Pecatonica, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Pecatonica to Waukegan, expect a 90.3-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 13 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay to reach your destination comfortably. Budget approximately $14 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Illinois locations. You will navigate via the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, West Belvidere Road, and Telegraph Street as you transition through the Midwest. Because this is a turn-heavy drive, it is best approached as a focused local trip rather than a high-speed interstate haul. Overall, the drive offers a straightforward, manageable experience for those looking to traverse this part of the state.

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

45.1 miles from Pecatonica, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .

Drive Character

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. With only 14% of the trip spent on highways, you will spend the majority of your time navigating local roads rather than cruising on open interstates. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, covering 28.2 miles along the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. As you move away from your starting point, the road rhythm shifts frequently, requiring you to stay alert through the various turns and transitions. Expect a steady, hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged with the local landscape throughout the entire 90.3-mile distance.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

U.S. Grant Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 28.2 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 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 24.5 miles in near US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 90.3 miles you will encounter 13 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 24.5 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 24.7 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 43.7 miles (IL 176 / Telegraph Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

24.5 mi into trip | ~29m in | US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

Take the exit onto US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway toward US 20 East: Belvedere

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 122A Toward US 20 East: Belvedere

24.7 mi into trip | ~30m in | US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway toward US 20 East: Belvedere

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 122A Toward US 20 East: Belvedere

43.7 mi into trip | ~58m in | IL 176 / Telegraph Street

Turn right onto IL 176 / Telegraph Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

52.7 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in | IL 47

Turn right onto IL 47

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

67.1 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | V45 / South River Road

At end of road, turn left onto V45 / South River Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway	28.2 mi	37m
West Belvidere Road	10.5 mi	16m
Telegraph Street	9 mi	12m
West State Road	8.2 mi	9m
IL 176	7.1 mi	12m
Belvidere Road	6.3 mi	9m
IL 31	5.1 mi	8m
West Grant Highway	5 mi	7m

Longest stretch: U.S. Grant Memorial Highway — 28.2 mi, about 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on East 3rd Street

39 ft · 6 sec · East 3rd Street

Turn left onto Main Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Continue on North Pecatonica Road

1.1 mi · 1 min · North Pecatonica Road

Turn left onto US 20

8.2 mi · 9 min · West State Road

Continue on US 20

14 mi · 16 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

Toward US 20 East: Chicago

Take the exit onto US 20

0.2 mi · 30 sec · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

Exit 122A Toward US 20 East: Belvedere

Keep slight right at fork onto US 20

14 mi · 20 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

Exit 122A Toward US 20 East: Belvedere

Continue on US 20

5.0 mi · 7 min · West Grant Highway

Turn left onto IL 23

0.5 mi · 43 sec · South State Street

Turn right onto IL 176

9.0 mi · 12 min · Telegraph Street

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto IL 47

0.8 mi · 1 min · IL 47

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto IL 176

7.1 mi · 12 min · IL 176

Turn left onto IL 31

5.1 mi · 8 min · IL 31

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto A32

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Bull Valley Road

Continue on A32

1.2 mi · 2 min · Charles J Miller Road

At end of road, turn left onto V45

0.9 mi · 1 min · South River Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on V45

0.7 mi · 58 sec · Chapel Hill Road

Use the straight lane.

Turn slight right

208 ft · 5 sec

Use the right lane.

Turn straight onto IL 120

1.1 mi · 1 min · West Elm Street

Continue on IL 120

1.1 mi · 1 min · Rand Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on IL 120

10 mi · 16 min · West Belvidere Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on IL 120

6.3 mi · 9 min · Belvidere Road

Use the left / none lanes.

Continue on IL 120

1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto South Jackson Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Jackson Street

Arrive at destination

North Jackson Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Because the route relies heavily on local roads rather than high-speed highways, factor in extra time for traffic or unexpected turns along the way. You won't need to plan for major stops to manage fatigue, but keeping your fuel tank in mind is wise given the $14 estimated cost. For a smoother experience, try to avoid peak local commuting hours, as the reliance on surface streets can make the drive feel longer during busy times. Staying attentive to navigation is the best way to handle the turn-heavy nature of this specific route.

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 45.1 miles from Pecatonica, IL, or about 1h 1m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.2 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 80 miles or 1h 56m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 45.1 miles or 1h 1m 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 47m

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 Pecatonica, 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 Pecatonica, IL

This is one driving day of about 90.3 miles and 2h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pecatonica, 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 U.S. Grant Memorial Highway for about 28.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 45.1 mi from Pecatonica, IL · 1h 1m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Elgin, IL

45 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

Palatine, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Elgin, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 45.1 miles from Pecatonica, 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

$13.72 one way

$27.43 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$15.12	$30.24
premium	$4.80	$17.05	$34.09
diesel	$5.64	$20.06	$40.12

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	27.1	$9.48	$4.33
Efficient EV	22.6	$7.90	$3.61
EV Truck/SUV	36.1	$12.64	$5.78

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Pecatonica, IL

Evening in Pecatonica on Sunday

Local time

6:41 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Evening in Waukegan on Sunday

Local time

6:41 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

30 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

2h 13m 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 Pecatonica, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 90.3 miles and takes about 2h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, West Belvidere Road, Telegraph Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 45.1 miles from Pecatonica, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.72 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 route from Pecatonica, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Waukegan, IL to Pecatonica, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

102.3 mi 2h 13m

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Trip from Pecatonica, IL to Waukegan, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Waukegan, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Pecatonica, IL

Waukegan, IL

Same local time

30 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 13m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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