Origin
Roselle, IL
Morning in Roselle on Friday
Local time
9:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Roselle, IL to Waukegan, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h
Distance
43 mi
69 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 55m
★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 4m
12 PM
1h 3m
3 PM
1h 4m
5 PM
1h 10m
8 PM
0h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Roselle, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Trip Overview
This straightforward 43-mile drive from Roselle, IL to Waukegan, IL will take you about 1 hour, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate using the Tri-State Tollway and IL 53, with Palatine Road also playing a part. With a projected fuel cost of around $7, this route is quite economical for a quick journey within the Midwest. The overall feel is a practical, local drive that gets you where you need to go without much fuss. Since it's a short trip, you won't need to worry about overnight stays.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h. Total distance: 43 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for most of this 43-mile journey. While 21% of the route involves highway travel, including a 17.3-mile stretch on the Tri-State Tollway, the character shifts frequently. You'll encounter a mix of quicker highway segments and more intricate local roads that require your attention. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; rather, it's a route where you'll be making regular adjustments as you navigate through different road types.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 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 17.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 43 miles you will encounter 15 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 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.3 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
2.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 290: Chicago, Rockford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward I 290: Chicago, Rockford
7
3.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 290 West: Rockford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 290 West: Rockford
6
8.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
20.5 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Turn sharp left toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
7
38.2 mi into trip
|
~51m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Roselle, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Rockford along the way.
Rockford
2.6 mi in
|
~4m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Tollway | 17.3 mi | 20m |
| Palatine Road | 6 mi | 8m |
| IL 53 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| I 290 | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| Belvidere Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Elgin-O'Hare Tollway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Belvidere Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Willow Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 17.3 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roselle, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on IL 19
139 ft
·
5 sec
·
Irving Park Road
2
Turn right onto North Roselle Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Roselle Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward IL 390 East Toll
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto IL 390
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Elgin-O'Hare Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 12
Toward I 290: Chicago, Rockford
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 290 West: Rockford
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 290
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
I 290
8
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward East Palatine Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto Palatine Road
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Palatine Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on Willow Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Willow Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn sharp left
383 ft
·
11 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Use the left lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
14
Merge onto I 294
17 mi
·
20 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 11A
Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Belvidere Road
17
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
18
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
20
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.5 mi from Roselle, IL · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.5 miles from Roselle, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.72 one way
$13.45 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.38 | $14.76 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.27 | $16.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.49 | $18.99 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.16
Tri-state Tollway
(17.3 mi)
$1.04
Elgin-O'Hare Tollway
(1.8 mi)
$0.12
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$1
Total
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 15 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.9 | 0 | $4.52 | $2.06 |
| Efficient EV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.76 | $1.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.02 | $2.75 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (67% 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 Friday
Local time
9:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
11 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
1h 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 Roselle, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 43 miles and takes about 1h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, Palatine Road, IL 53. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.5 miles from Roselle, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.72 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 43 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.3 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Roselle, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Rockford along the way.
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.
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