Origin
Rossville, IL
Afternoon in Rossville on Wednesday
Local time
3:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rossville, IL to Waukegan, IL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 39m
Distance
159.3 mi
256 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 27m
★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 49m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 4m
8 PM
3h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rossville, IL
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Rossville, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 159.3 miles and takes about 3h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 2300 East, County Road 2300 East, South Chicago St for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.90 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
79.6 miles from Rossville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 39m drive with frequent turns across 159.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
2300 East 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. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Rossville, IL to Waukegan, IL is easy. At 3h 39m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Rossville, IL to Waukegan, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 2300 East | — | — |
| County Road 2300 East | — | — |
| South Chicago St | — | — |
| East Walnut Street | — | — |
| North 2100 East Road | — | — |
| North 2100 E Road | — | — |
| S 7000E Road | — | — |
| E 7000S Road | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
2300 East
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rossville, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on East Attica Street
95 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Attica Street
2
Turn right onto 2300 East
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
2300 East
3
Continue on County Road 2300 East
11 mi
·
17 min
·
County Road 2300 East
4
Continue on South Chicago St
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Chicago St
5
Continue on 2300 East
9.9 mi
·
14 min
·
2300 East
6
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
East Walnut Street
7
Turn right onto North 2100 East Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North 2100 East Road
8
Continue on North 2100 E Road
15 mi
·
22 min
·
North 2100 E Road
9
Continue on S 7000E Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
S 7000E Road
10
Continue on E 7000S Road
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
E 7000S Road
11
Turn left onto South Dixie Highway
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
South Dixie Highway
12
Continue on South State Route 1
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
South State Route 1
13
Turn left
5.8 mi
·
8 min
14
Take the ramp left toward I-57 North: Chicago
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I-57 North: Chicago
15
Merge slight left
47 mi
·
55 min
16
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
17
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
18
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
19
Continue on Edens Expressway
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
20
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Skokie Highway
21
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Skokie Valley Road
22
Continue on South Skokie Highway
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
South Skokie Highway
23
Take the exit slight right toward IL 120 East
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
IL 120 East
24
Turn straight onto Belvidere Road
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Belvidere Road
25
Continue on Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
26
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
27
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
28
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 79.6 miles from Rossville, IL, or about 1h 49m 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 35 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.6 miles or 1h 49m 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
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 Rossville, 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 Rossville, IL
This is one driving day of about 159.3 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Rossville, 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 79.6 mi from Rossville, IL · 1h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 79.6 miles from Rossville, 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
$24.90 one way
$49.81 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.34 | $54.69 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.66 | $61.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.17 | $70.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.8 | 0 | $16.73 | $7.65 |
| Efficient EV | 39.8 | 0 | $13.94 | $6.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.7 | 0 | $22.30 | $10.20 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Afternoon in Waukegan on Wednesday
Local time
3:25 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
9 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
3h 39m 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 Rossville, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 159.3 miles and takes about 3h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 2300 East, County Road 2300 East, South Chicago St. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.6 miles from Rossville, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.90 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Rossville, IL to Waukegan, IL is easy. At 3h 39m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Rossville, IL to Waukegan, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Rossville, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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