Origin
Thomasboro, IL
Afternoon in Thomasboro on Friday
Local time
3:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Thomasboro, 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
3h 22m
Distance
166.2 mi
267 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 10m
★
6 AM
3h 22m
8 AM
3h 46m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 28m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 45m
8 PM
3h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Thomasboro, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 166.2-mile drive from Thomasboro, IL to Waukegan, IL will take you about 3 hours and 22 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily be on I-57 and the Edens Expressway, with a good portion of your journey on major highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $26, which is quite budget-friendly for a trip of this length. Given its relatively short duration and focus on interstate travel, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. Both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, keeping the general scenery consistent.
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
83.1 miles from Thomasboro, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 166.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive, with 85% of the route utilizing major interstates and expressways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 108.2 miles on I-57, so be prepared for sustained highway speeds. This profile suggests a fairly direct and efficient journey, likely involving minimal scenic detours but maximizing your travel time. You'll transition onto the Edens Expressway and then South Skokie Highway as you approach your destination, offering a change in road type but still remaining on well-traveled routes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 108.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Edens Expressway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.4 miles in near I 57.
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 166.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 6.4 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.9 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.5 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
6.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
117.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
|
I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Roa...
6
147.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
|
US 41 / Skokie Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41 / Skokie Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
163 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward IL 120 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward IL 120 East
5
165.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
|
Glen Rock Avenue
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 108.2 mi | 2h |
| Edens Expressway | 13.5 mi | 17m |
| South Skokie Highway | 8.2 mi | 10m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.2 mi | 11m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 7.9 mi | 11m |
| Skokie Highway | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| Skokie Valley Road | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 108.2 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thomasboro, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on West Clark Street
257 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Clark Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 45
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road 1500 East
3
Continue on US 45
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Liberty Drive
4
Continue on US 45
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Liberty Avenue
5
Turn left onto South Tanner Street
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
South Tanner Street
6
Turn left onto US 136
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West Champaign Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I-57 North: Kankakee
8
Merge onto I 57
108 mi
·
2 hr
·
I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 94
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Skokie Valley Road
15
Continue on US 41
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
South Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward IL 120 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto IL 120
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Belvidere Road
18
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
19
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
21
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour, 22-minute drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to decide when and where to pull over for fuel or a break. Keep an eye on your fuel level, as the longest stretch without a major town is over 100 miles. A good tip for this route is to ensure you have your preferred navigation app ready before you depart, as the transition between I-57, the Edens Expressway, and South Skokie Highway can sometimes be complex.
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 83.1 miles from Thomasboro, IL, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.2 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 37 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.1 miles or 1h 36m 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 42m
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 Thomasboro, 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 Thomasboro, IL
This is one driving day of about 166.2 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Thomasboro, 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 57 for about 108.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.1 mi from Thomasboro, IL · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.1 miles from Thomasboro, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108.2 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.98 one way
$51.97 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.53 | $57.06 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.98 | $63.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.69 | $73.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.9 | 0 | $17.45 | $7.98 |
| Efficient EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.54 | $6.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.5 | 0 | $23.27 | $10.64 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Afternoon in Waukegan on Friday
Local time
3:17 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
12 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 22m 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 Thomasboro, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 166.2 miles and takes about 3h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Edens Expressway, South Skokie Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.1 miles from Thomasboro, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.98 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 166.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 6.4 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.9 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.5 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Thomasboro, IL to Waukegan, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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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