Trip from Waukegan, IL to Akron, IL

Drive Time

3h 49m

Distance

187.1 mi

301 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 37m ★

6 AM

3h 50m

8 AM

4h 15m

10 AM

3h 58m

12 PM

3h 56m

3 PM

4h 0m

5 PM

4h 14m

8 PM

3h 42m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Akron, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

The drive from Waukegan, IL to Akron, IL covers 187.1 miles and takes about 3h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, Tri-State Tollway, Adlai Stevenson Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 64.2 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.42 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

93.6 miles from Waukegan, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 49m highway drive covering 187.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and Tri-State Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 64.2 miles on I 80.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 24 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 64.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.9 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 187.1 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 18.9 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

18.9 mi into trip | ~25m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare

46.4 mi into trip | ~59m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

47.6 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in

Take the exit toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

48.3 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

74.6 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in

Take the exit toward I 80 West: Iowa

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 250B Toward I 80 West: Iowa

Towns Along This Route

Between Waukegan, IL and Akron, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, St. Louis and Peoria.

O'hare

18.9 mi in | ~25m | via I 294

St. Louis

47.6 mi in | ~1h 1m

Peoria

149.4 mi in | ~2h 57m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	64.2 mi	1h 8m
Tri-State Tollway	42.6 mi	51m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway	25.9 mi	32m
IL 29	24.5 mi	28m
I 180	8.7 mi	9m
Truitt Road	6.6 mi	11m
Belvidere Road	2.2 mi	3m
North State Route 40	2 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 64.2 mi, about 1h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on North Jackson Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Jackson Street

Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

Turn right onto Belvidere Street

1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

Continue on Belvidere Road

2.2 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road

Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago

0.3 mi · 37 sec · I 94 East Toll: Chicago

Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

14 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

23 mi · 28 min · Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

0.6 mi · 1 min · I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

0.4 mi · 56 sec · I 55 South: Saint Louis

Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway

26 mi · 32 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Iowa

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 80 West: Iowa

Merge slight left

64 mi · 1 hr 8 min

Take the exit slight right toward I 180 South: Hennepin

1.0 mi · 2 min · I 180 South: Hennepin

Continue straight

8.7 mi · 9 min

Keep slight right to continue on Peoria

2.1 mi · 2 min · Peoria

Continue straight

25 mi · 28 min

Turn right onto West Truitt Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · West Truitt Avenue

Continue on Truitt Road

6.6 mi · 11 min · Truitt Road

Turn left onto North State Route 40

2.0 mi · 3 min · North State Route 40

Turn right onto Akron Road

1.3 mi · 3 min · Akron Road

Turn right onto North Elevator Road

0.2 mi · 45 sec · North Elevator Road

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

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 93.6 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 1h 56m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.2 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 80 miles or 1h 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 93.6 miles or 1h 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 3h 2m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Akron, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Waukegan, 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 Waukegan, IL

This is one driving day of about 187.1 miles and 3h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Waukegan, 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 64.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 93.6 mi from Waukegan, IL · 1h 56m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Joliet, IL

94 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.

Popular next leg

Joliet, IL to Akron, IL

119.7 mi · 2h 23m

Pacing Suggestions

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Aurora, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93.6 miles from Waukegan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.2 miles.

Arriving in Akron, IL

The final approach into Akron, 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 Akron, 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 ~44 min detour Free near mile 45.2

Caution: Road Construction Near the Park

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.42 one way

$56.84 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$31.33	$62.66
premium	$4.80	$35.32	$70.64
diesel	$5.64	$41.57	$83.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	56.1	$19.65	$8.98
Efficient EV	46.8	$16.37	$7.48
EV Truck/SUV	74.8	$26.19	$11.97

Gas CO2

65 kg

EV CO2

22 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Waukegan, IL

Late night in Waukegan on Monday

Local time

4:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Akron, IL

Late night in Akron on Monday

Local time

4:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°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

35 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

3h 49m 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 Waukegan, IL to Akron, IL covers 187.1 miles and takes about 3h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 80, Tri-State Tollway, Adlai Stevenson Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 93.6 miles from Waukegan, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.42 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.

Between Waukegan, IL and Akron, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, St. Louis and Peoria.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Akron, IL to Waukegan, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

187.3 mi 3h 49m

Explore more options from Waukegan, IL or browse trips ending in Akron, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Waukegan, IL or Akron, IL on MapSof.net.

Trip from Waukegan, IL to Akron, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Akron, IL

National Parks Near This Route

Pullman National Historical Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Waukegan, IL

Akron, IL

Same local time

35 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 49m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Akron, IL

More from Waukegan, IL

More trips to Akron, IL