Origin
Trenton, IL
Afternoon in Trenton on Wednesday
Local time
3:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Trenton, IL to Waukegan, IL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
6h 14m
Distance
322.5 mi
519 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 2m
★
6 AM
6h 15m
8 AM
6h 40m
10 AM
6h 24m
12 PM
6h 21m
3 PM
6h 25m
5 PM
6h 39m
8 PM
6h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trenton, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Trenton, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 322.5 miles and takes about 6h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, Tri-State Tollway, North Madison Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 243.4 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.42 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
161.2 miles from Trenton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 6h 14m highway drive covering 322.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 243.4 miles on I 55.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 243.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 123.7 miles in near I 55.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 322.5 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 123.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 153.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
123.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
153.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
|
I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
273.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 10m 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
280.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 20m 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
317.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 5m 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.
On the drive from Trenton, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
153.1 mi in
|
~2h 56m
|
via I 55
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 243.4 mi | 4h 26m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 41.8 mi | 50m |
| North Madison Street | 23.2 mi | 34m |
| US 50 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| Belvidere Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Belvidere Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| South Jackson Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Glen Rock Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 243.4 mi, about 4h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Trenton, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on East Broadway
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Broadway
2
Turn right onto IL 160
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Madison Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
4
Merge onto US 50
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
US 50
5
Turn right onto IL 4
23 mi
·
33 min
·
North Madison Street
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
7
Merge onto I 55
93 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
I 55
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
121 mi
·
2 hr 14 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
3 min
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Use the right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
12
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
37 mi
·
45 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 11A
Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Belvidere Road
16
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
17
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jackson Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.2 miles from Trenton, IL, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 243.4 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 71 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.2 miles or 3h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 59m
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 Trenton, 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 Trenton, IL
This is one driving day of about 322.5 miles and 6h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Trenton, 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 55 for about 243.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 161.2 mi from Trenton, IL · 3h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 161.2 miles from Trenton, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 243.4 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
$50.42 one way
$100.84 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
113 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $55.36 | $110.72 |
| premium | $4.89 | $62.06 | $124.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $71.20 | $142.41 |
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
$50
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.8 | 1 | $33.86 | $15.48 |
| Efficient EV | 80.6 | 0 | $28.22 | $12.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 129 | 1 | $45.15 | $20.64 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
3:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 15 mph
79% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:43PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:43PM CDT until April 19 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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
19 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
6h 14m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Trenton, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 322.5 miles and takes about 6h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Tri-State Tollway, North Madison Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 161.2 miles from Trenton, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.42 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 322.5 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 123.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 153.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Trenton, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
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