This 321-mile drive from Washington Park, Illinois, to Waukegan, Illinois, is a straightforward Midwest journey that can comfortably be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 6 hours and 5 minutes on the road, with a projected fuel cost of around $50. The route primarily utilizes major highways, including I-55 and the Tri-State Tollway, making it a highway-focused experience. Given its manageable duration, this trip is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll be traversing within the same region, the Midwest, throughout your travel.
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
160.5 miles from Washington Park, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 5m. Total distance: 321 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with an impressive 84% of the journey taking place on major interstates. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including a significant 270.2-mile segment on I-55, which means extended periods of consistent speed. The primary roads guiding you are I-55, the Tri-State Tollway, and Belvidere Road. While largely a high-speed affair, be prepared for potential toll sections. The character remains consistent for most of the trip, emphasizing efficient travel over varied scenery.
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 270.2 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 14.4 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 321 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 14.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
14.4 mi into trip|~18m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springf...
7
122.3 mi into trip|~2h 15m 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
151.6 mi into trip|~2h 46m 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
272.4 mi into trip|~5h 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
7
316.2 mi into trip|~5h 55m 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 Washington Park, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
151.6 mi in|~2h 46m|via I 55
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
270.2 mi
4h 56m
Tri-State Tollway
41.8 mi
50m
Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
2m
Kingshighway
1.7 mi
3m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
1m
Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
IL 111
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 270.2 mi, about 4h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington Park, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on North Park Drive
62 ft·4 sec·North Park Drive
2
Turn right onto IL 111
1.7 mi·3 min·Kingshighway
3
Turn left onto IL 111
373 ft·12 sec·Collinsville Road
4
Turn slight right onto IL 111
0.2 mi·35 sec·IL 111
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
6
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
12 mi·13 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse 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, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse 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 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse 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
For this 321-mile trip, starting early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you navigate tollways. With a duration of just over 6 hours, you can complete this in one day without needing an overnight stop. Plan for one main stop to refuel and stretch, as the longest uninterrupted driving segment is over 270 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $50, and it's always wise to be prepared. Given the highway-centric nature, staying alert to changing speed limits and potential construction zones will be key to a smooth journey.
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 160.5 miles from Washington Park, IL, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 270.2 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 71 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.5 miles or 2h 56m 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 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 Washington Park, 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 Washington Park, IL
This is one driving day of about 321 miles and 6h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Washington Park, 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 270.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 160.5 mi from Washington Park, IL
· 2h 56m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 88.6
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 276.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.18 one way
$100.37 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$55.10
$110.20
premium
$4.89
$61.77
$123.55
diesel
$5.61
$70.87
$141.75
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: 112.3 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
96.3
1
$33.71
$15.41
Efficient EV
80.3
0
$28.09
$12.84
EV Truck/SUV
128.4
1
$44.94
$20.54
Gas CO2
112 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Washington Park, IL
Evening
in Washington Park on Friday
Local time
8:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Evening
in Waukegan on Friday
Local time
8:49 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
16 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 5m 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 Washington Park, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 321 miles and takes about 6h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Tri-State Tollway, Belvidere Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 160.5 miles from Washington Park, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.18 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 13 significant decision points across 321 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 14.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Washington Park, IL to Waukegan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
