The drive from Richwoods, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 298.5 miles and takes about 6h 24m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, IL 130, East 1050th Avenue for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 168.6 miles on I 57.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.67 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
149.3 miles from Richwoods, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 25m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 24m. Total distance: 298.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 24m highway drive covering 298.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and IL 130. The longest continuous stretch is about 168.6 miles on I 57.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 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?
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 78.3 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 16 significant decision points across 298.5 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 78.3 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 250.3 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 279.9 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
78.3 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
250.3 mi into trip|~5h 18m 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
279.9 mi into trip|~5h 58m 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
295.3 mi into trip|~6h 17m 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
297.5 mi into trip|~6h 21m in|Glen Rock Avenue
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Richwoods, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on East 700th Avenue
158 ft·12 sec·East 700th Avenue
2
Turn left onto North 2100th Street
0.2 mi·50 sec·North 2100th Street
3
Turn right onto East 675th Avenue
0.7 mi·2 min·East 675th Avenue
4
Continue on East 720th Avenue
0.6 mi·2 min·East 720th Avenue
5
Turn left onto North 2000th Street
0.1 mi·32 sec·North 2000th Street
6
Turn right onto East 700th Avenue
1.4 mi·5 min·East 700th Avenue
7
Turn right onto IL 33
3.5 mi·6 min·1850E
8
Turn left onto IL 33
0.6 mi·59 sec·East Franklin Street
9
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 33
0.2 mi·24 sec·West Washington Street
10
Continue on IL 33
5.3 mi·8 min·East 1050th Ave
11
Continue on IL 33
2.7 mi·5 min·East Main Street
12
Continue on IL 33
6.9 mi·10 min·East 1050th Avenue
13
Continue on IL 33
0.6 mi·57 sec·W Main St
14
Continue on IL 33
0.5 mi·44 sec·East Main Street
15
Continue on IL 33
12 mi·18 min·East 1050th Avenue
16
Turn right onto IL 130
34 mi·50 min·IL 130
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto IL 16
2.5 mi·4 min·Lincoln Avenue
18
Continue on IL 16
5.3 mi·7 min·Illinois Route 16
19
Continue on IL 16
0.4 mi·38 sec·Charleston Avenue East
20
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
21
Merge onto I 57
169 mi·3 hr 5 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 94
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi·4 min·Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi·3 min·Skokie Valley Road
28
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi·10 min·South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward IL 120 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi·33 sec·Belvidere Road
31
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
32
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
33
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
34
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
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 149.3 miles from Richwoods, IL, or about 3h 25m 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 66 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.3 miles or 3h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 11m
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 Richwoods, 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 Richwoods, IL
This is one driving day of about 298.5 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Richwoods, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 149.3 mi from Richwoods, IL
· 3h 25m into the drive
The midpoint is around 149.3 miles from Richwoods, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 168.6 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.67 one way
$93.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$51.24
$102.48
premium
$4.89
$57.44
$114.89
diesel
$5.61
$65.91
$131.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.6
1
$31.34
$14.33
Efficient EV
74.6
0
$26.12
$11.94
EV Truck/SUV
119.4
1
$41.79
$19.10
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% 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
Richwoods, IL
Afternoon
in Richwoods on Friday
Local time
12:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Afternoon
in Waukegan on Friday
Local time
12:55 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 24m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Richwoods, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 298.5 miles and takes about 6h 24m 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 149.3 miles from Richwoods, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.67 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 16 significant decision points across 298.5 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 78.3 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 250.3 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 279.9 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Richwoods, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
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.
