This 132.3-mile drive from Spring Valley, IL to Waukegan, IL takes about 2 hours and 43 minutes and is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on major highways, including I-80 and the Tri-State Tollway, making for a relatively straightforward journey through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, this route is quite budget-friendly for a day excursion. The mixed drive profile suggests you'll experience a variety of road types, so be prepared for a dynamic travel experience. This is a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to get between these two Illinois locations.
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
66.2 miles from Spring Valley, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-dominant experience on this route, with 58% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-80 and I-55. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 47.3 miles on I-80, offering a period of consistent travel. This mixed drive profile means you'll transition between faster tollways and potentially other interstate sections, so pay attention to changing speed limits and road conditions. While not overly technical, the character is largely defined by efficient highway travel designed for covering distance.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 47.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.1 miles in.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 132.3 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 7.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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
7.1 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the ramp toward US 6: LaSalle, Peru, Ottowa
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 6: LaSalle, Peru, Ottowa
7
56.8 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
7
83.7 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
6
90.4 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
127.5 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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.
Between Spring Valley, IL and Waukegan, IL, road signs point toward Peru and Ottowa.
Peru
7.1 mi in|~11m
Ottowa
7.1 mi in|~11m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
47.3 mi
50m
Tri-State Tollway
41.8 mi
50m
I 55
26.6 mi
32m
East Dakota Street
2.8 mi
4m
Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
2m
4th Street
1.8 mi
2m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
I 39
1.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 47.3 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spring Valley, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on IL 89
38 ft·2 sec·North Spalding Street
2
Turn right onto US 6
2.8 mi·4 min·East Dakota Street
3
Continue on US 6
1.8 mi·2 min·4th Street
4
Continue on US 6
0.4 mi·33 sec·5th Street
5
Continue on US 6
0.6 mi·1 min·3rd Street
6
Turn left onto US 6; IL 351
0.2 mi·17 sec·Joliet Street
7
Turn right onto US 6
1.4 mi·2 min·US 6
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 6: LaSalle, Peru, Ottowa
9
Merge onto I 39; US 51
1.5 mi·1 min·I 39; US 51
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·57 sec
Exit 59AToward I 80 East: Chicago
11
Merge onto I 80
47 mi·50 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 126BToward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 55
27 mi·32 min·I 55
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
16
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi·45 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi·2 min·Belvidere Road
20
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
21
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
23
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 43-minute duration, starting your journey from Spring Valley in the morning will allow ample time to reach Waukegan without feeling rushed. While the longest stretch is over 47 miles, the overall drive is short enough that you may only need one planned stop for fuel or a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you approach the 47.3-mile mark on I-80, to ensure a smooth continuation of your trip. The $21 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.2 miles from Spring Valley, IL, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.3 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.2 miles or 1h 16m 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 10m
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 Spring Valley, 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 Spring Valley, IL
This is one driving day of about 132.3 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Spring Valley, 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 80 for about 47.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.2 mi from Spring Valley, IL
· 1h 16m into the drive
The midpoint is around 66.2 miles from Spring Valley, 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.
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 86.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.68 one way
$41.37 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.71
$45.42
premium
$4.89
$25.46
$50.92
diesel
$5.61
$29.21
$58.42
Estimated Tolls: $2.51
Tri-state Tollway
(41.8 mi)$2.51
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.3 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
39.7
0
$13.89
$6.35
Efficient EV
33.1
0
$11.58
$5.29
EV Truck/SUV
52.9
0
$18.52
$8.47
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast data refreshed 4 days ago
Origin
Spring Valley, IL
Evening
in Spring Valley on Tuesday
Local time
5:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Evening
in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
5:49 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
11 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 43m 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 Spring Valley, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 132.3 miles and takes about 2h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, Tri-State Tollway, I 55. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.2 miles from Spring Valley, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.68 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 132.3 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 7.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Spring Valley, IL and Waukegan, IL, road signs point toward Peru and Ottowa.
