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Trip from Stockton, IL to Waukegan, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 57m

Distance

125.1 mi

201 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 46m ★
6 AM
2h 57m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 5m
12 PM
3h 3m
3 PM
3h 6m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Illinois

Stockton, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Stockton, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 125.1 miles and takes about 2h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, West Belvidere Road, West State Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 61.4 miles on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.56 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

62.6 miles from Stockton, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway 61.4 mi 1h 19m
West Belvidere Road 10.5 mi 16m
West State Road 9.8 mi 11m
Telegraph Street 9 mi 12m
IL 176 7.1 mi 12m
Belvidere Road 6.3 mi 9m
IL 31 5.1 mi 8m
West Grant Highway 5 mi 7m
Longest stretch: U.S. Grant Memorial Highway — 61.4 mi, about 1h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Stockton, IL and Waukegan, IL.

1

Start on IL 78

0.5 mi · 49 sec · South Main Street
2

At end of road, turn right onto US 20; IL 78

1.3 mi · 2 min · East North Avenue
3

Continue on US 20

33 mi · 41 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4

Continue on US 20

9.8 mi · 11 min · West State Road
5

Continue on US 20

14 mi · 16 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Toward US 20 East: Chicago
6

Take the exit onto US 20

0.2 mi · 30 sec · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Exit 122A Toward US 20 East: Belvedere
7

Keep slight right at fork onto US 20

14 mi · 20 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Exit 122A Toward US 20 East: Belvedere
8

Continue on US 20

5.0 mi · 7 min · West Grant Highway
9

Turn left onto IL 23

0.5 mi · 43 sec · South State Street
10

Turn right onto IL 176

9.0 mi · 12 min · Telegraph Street
11

Turn right onto IL 47

0.8 mi · 1 min · IL 47
Use the right lane.
12

Turn left onto IL 176

7.1 mi · 12 min · IL 176
13

Turn left onto IL 31

5.1 mi · 8 min · IL 31
14

Turn right onto A32

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Bull Valley Road
15

Continue on A32

1.2 mi · 2 min · Charles J Miller Road
16

At end of road, turn left onto V45

0.9 mi · 1 min · South River Road
Use the straight lane.
17

Continue on V45

0.7 mi · 58 sec · Chapel Hill Road
Use the straight lane.
18

Turn slight right

208 ft · 5 sec
Use the right lane.
19

Turn straight onto IL 120

1.1 mi · 1 min · West Elm Street
20

Continue on IL 120

1.1 mi · 1 min · Rand Road
21

Continue on IL 120

10 mi · 16 min · West Belvidere Road
Use the right lane.
22

Continue on IL 120

6.3 mi · 9 min · Belvidere Road
Use the left lane.
23

Continue on IL 120

1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
24

Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
25

Turn left onto South Jackson Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Jackson Street
26

Arrive at destination

North Jackson Street

Trip Plan

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 62.6 miles from Stockton, IL, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.4 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 28 miles or 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 62.6 miles or 1h 18m 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 21m

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 Stockton, 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 Stockton, IL

This is one driving day of about 125.1 miles and 2h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Stockton, 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 61.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Huntley, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Huntley, IL

63 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

Freeport, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Belvidere, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.6 miles from Stockton, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before U.S. Grant Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Garden Prairie Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Garden Prairie, Illinois

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 71.5

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18155971190

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukegan, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 125.1

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Garden Prairie Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 71.5

Garden Prairie, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18155971190

Visit website

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 125.1

Waukegan, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Hansa Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 116.2

Libertyville, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18472268815

Visit website

Summer Moon Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour Inexpensiv mile 98.3

Crystal Lake, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+18158934019

Visit website

Zenia coffee bar

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 107.2

Ingleside, Illinois

Hours: Closed

+18473771689

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 116.2

Gurnee, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

Visit website

Midway Village Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 62.6

Rockford, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18153979112

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 101.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.5 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 20; IL 78 / East North Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto US 20; IL 78 / East North Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
59.3 mi into trip | ~1h 13m 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
59.5 mi into trip | ~1h 13m 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
5
87.5 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in | IL 47

Turn right onto IL 47

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
101.9 mi into trip | ~2h 19m in | V45 / South River Road

At end of road, turn left onto V45 / South River Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.56 one way

$39.12 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $21.47 $42.95
premium $4.89 $24.07 $48.15
diesel $5.61 $27.62 $55.24

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.5 0 $13.14 $6.00
Efficient EV 31.3 0 $10.95 $5.00
EV Truck/SUV 50 0 $17.51 $8.01

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Stockton, IL

Afternoon in Stockton on Saturday

Local time

3:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waukegan, IL

Afternoon in Waukegan on Saturday

Local time

3:20 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

14 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

2h 57m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

125.1 mi in 2h 57m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.4 mi on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near US 20; IL 78 / East North Avenue.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 125.1 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.5 miles (US 20; IL 78 / East North Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 59.3 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 59.5 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 125.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 61.4 miles on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Waukegan, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (US 20; IL 78 / East North Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 59.3 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 59.5 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Waukegan, IL before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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