Origin
Savanna, IL
Evening in Savanna on Wednesday
Local time
6:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Savanna, IL to Waukegan, IL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 30m
Distance
137.8 mi
222 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 19m
★
6 AM
3h 31m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 39m
12 PM
3h 37m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 54m
8 PM
3h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Savanna, IL
Hugo Sykes
Trip Overview
This 137.8-mile drive from Savanna, IL to Waukegan, IL is a manageable one-day adventure, estimated to take about 3 hours and 30 minutes. Primarily navigating local roads with a 20% share of highway driving, you'll experience a more connected, turn-heavy journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $22, this trip through the Midwest offers a straightforward path. It’s well-suited for a single day, allowing you to focus on the experience without the need for an overnight stop. Plan for a single main stop to break up the drive if needed.
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
68.9 miles from Savanna, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for most of this 137.8-mile route, with only 20% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 21.2 miles along U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. This means you'll likely be navigating through towns and local streets more often than cruising on fast-paced interstates. The character of the road will shift as you make your way from the western Illinois landscape toward the more populated areas surrounding Waukegan.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 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 21.2 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 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 51.7 miles in near IL 2; IL 72 / West Blackhawk Drive.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 137.8 miles you will encounter 19 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 51.7 miles (IL 2; IL 72 / West Blackhawk Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 72 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
51.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
IL 2; IL 72 / West Blackhawk Drive
At end of road, turn left onto IL 2; IL 72 / West Blackhawk Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
64.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
72 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m 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
6
72.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m 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
7
114.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m 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 | 21.2 mi | 29m |
| Chicago Avenue | 17.6 mi | 27m |
| Main Street | 15.9 mi | 23m |
| West Blackhawk Drive | 11.9 mi | 17m |
| West Belvidere Road | 10.5 mi | 16m |
| IL 72 | 10 mi | 14m |
| Telegraph Street | 9 mi | 12m |
| IL 176 | 7.1 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
— 21.2 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Savanna, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on US 52; IL 64; IL 84
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Main Street
2
Continue on US 52; IL 64; IL 84
18 mi
·
27 min
·
Chicago Avenue
3
Turn left onto IL 73
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
South Broad Street
4
Turn right onto IL 72
10 mi
·
14 min
·
IL 72
5
Turn right onto IL 26; IL 72
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
IL 26; IL 72
6
Turn left onto IL 72
16 mi
·
23 min
·
Main Street
7
At end of road, turn left onto IL 2; IL 72
12 mi
·
17 min
·
West Blackhawk Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn left onto IL 2
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto US 20
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
11
Take the exit onto US 20
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Exit 122A
Toward US 20 East: Belvedere
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 20
14 mi
·
20 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Exit 122A
Toward US 20 East: Belvedere
13
Continue on US 20
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
West Grant Highway
14
Turn left onto IL 23
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
South State Street
15
Turn right onto IL 176
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Telegraph Street
16
Turn right onto IL 47
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 47
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto IL 176
7.1 mi
·
12 min
·
IL 176
18
Turn left onto IL 31
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
IL 31
19
Turn right onto A32
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Bull Valley Road
20
Continue on A32
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Charles J Miller Road
21
At end of road, turn left onto V45
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South River Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on V45
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
Chapel Hill Road
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn slight right
208 ft
·
5 sec
Use the right lane.
24
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West Elm Street
25
Continue on IL 120
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Rand Road
26
Continue on IL 120
10 mi
·
16 min
·
West Belvidere Road
Use the right lane.
27
Continue on IL 120
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Belvidere Road
Use the left lane.
28
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
29
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
30
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
31
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 30-minute duration and 137.8-mile length, this trip is ideal for a single day. Leaving Savanna, IL in the morning will give you ample time to reach Waukegan, IL without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $22, and there's only one recommended stop. The longest stretch without a significant turn is 21.2 miles on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, so be prepared for more frequent adjustments on other parts of the route.
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 68.9 miles from Savanna, IL, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.2 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 30 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.9 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 50m
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 Savanna, 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 Savanna, IL
This is one driving day of about 137.8 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Savanna, 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 U.S. Grant Memorial Highway for about 21.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.9 mi from Savanna, IL · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.9 miles from Savanna, 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
$21.54 one way
$43.09 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.65 | $47.31 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.52 | $53.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.42 | $60.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.47 | $6.61 |
| Efficient EV | 34.5 | 0 | $12.06 | $5.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.1 | 0 | $19.29 | $8.82 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Evening in Waukegan on Wednesday
Local time
6:21 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
4 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
3h 30m 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 Savanna, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 137.8 miles and takes about 3h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, Chicago Avenue, Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.9 miles from Savanna, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.54 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 137.8 miles you will encounter 19 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 51.7 miles (IL 2; IL 72 / West Blackhawk Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 72 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Savanna, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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