Trip from Waukegan, IL to Albion, IL

Drive Time

6h 23m

Distance

309.3 mi

498 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

6h 12m ★

6 AM

6h 24m

8 AM

6h 49m

10 AM

6h 33m

12 PM

6h 30m

3 PM

6h 34m

5 PM

6h 48m

8 PM

6h 17m

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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Albion, IL

Mike Tyurin

Trip Overview

Spanning 309.3 miles across Illinois, this journey from Waukegan to Albion typically takes about 6 hours and 23 minutes. You will primarily navigate the Edens Expressway and I-57, making it a straightforward, highway-focused drive through the heart of the Midwest. Given the duration, it is feasible to complete this as a single-day trip if you are comfortable with a full day of travel. Budget roughly $47 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Because you are traversing the state from north to south, you will notice a gradual transition in the landscape as you move toward Albion. It is a practical route for those needing to cross the region efficiently without requiring an overnight stay.

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

154.7 miles from Waukegan, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a trip defined by high-speed efficiency, as roughly 71% of your travel occurs on major highways. The backbone of your journey is I-57, which features a significant 168.9-mile stretch that allows you to maintain a steady pace for the bulk of the drive. While the Edens Expressway helps navigate the start of your trip, you will eventually transition onto smaller paths like County Road 1150 as you approach your destination. This mix creates a rhythm that shifts from busy, high-traffic corridors to quieter, more localized roads. You should be prepared for a consistent experience behind the wheel that prioritizes direct transit over winding or technical terrain.

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

There are about 32 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 168.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and County Road 1150. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near South Lewis Avenue.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 309.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 1.2 miles (South Lewis Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (IL 137 / Buckley Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

1.2 mi into trip | ~3m in | South Lewis Avenue

Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

4.1 mi into trip | ~8m in | IL 137 / Buckley Road

Turn right onto IL 137 / Buckley Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

42.2 mi into trip | ~56m in | I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express

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

Use the none lane. Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express

51 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in | I 57

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 63 Toward I 57 South: Memphis

219.9 mi into trip | ~4h 15m in

Take the exit toward IL 16 East: Charleston

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 190A Toward IL 16 East: Charleston

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	168.9 mi	3h 6m
County Road 1150	24.1 mi	32m
Edens Expressway	13.7 mi	17m
North 1250th Street	13.3 mi	19m
South Van Buren Street	11 mi	15m
Route 130	10 mi	14m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)	8.8 mi	11m
Kennedy Expressway	8.1 mi	11m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 168.9 mi, about 3h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Albion, 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

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Belvidere Street

Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue

2.9 mi · 5 min · South Lewis Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto IL 137

1.1 mi · 1 min · Buckley Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto US 41

5.6 mi · 6 min · North Skokie Highway

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 41

3.4 mi · 3 min · Skokie Valley Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 41

3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 94; US 41

14 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 90; I 94

8.1 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 90; I 94

2.4 mi · 2 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94

8.8 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57

169 mi · 3 hr 6 min · I 57

Exit 63 Toward I 57 South: Memphis Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec

Exit 190A Toward IL 16 East: Charleston

Turn straight onto IL 16

0.7 mi · 1 min · Charleston Avenue East

Continue on IL 16

6.0 mi · 8 min · Illinois Route 16

Continue on IL 16

1.8 mi · 2 min · West Lincoln Avenue

Turn right onto IL 130

1.6 mi · 2 min · 18th Street

Continue on IL 130

0.8 mi · 1 min · Illinois Route 130

Continue on IL 130

10.0 mi · 14 min · Route 130

Continue on IL 130

2.0 mi · 2 min · County Road 1825 East

Continue on IL 130

0.8 mi · 1 min · County Road 1775 E

Continue on IL 130

0.4 mi · 32 sec · North Haughton Highway

Continue on IL 130

1.3 mi · 1 min · 1700E

Continue on IL 130

4.0 mi · 5 min · North Haughton Highway

Continue on IL 130

2.1 mi · 3 min · County Road 1700E

Continue on IL 130

13 mi · 19 min · North 1250th Street

Turn left onto IL 130

11 mi · 15 min · South Van Buren Street

Continue on IL 130

6.7 mi · 9 min · County Road 1100 East

Continue on IL 130

2.5 mi · 4 min · North West Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on IL 130

24 mi · 32 min · County Road 1150

Use the straight lane.

Arrive at destination

IL 15; IL 130

Trip Plan

To keep your 6-hour and 23-minute drive manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the monotony of the long interstate segments. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid potential traffic congestion near the start of your route. Since you have a 168.9-mile stretch on I-57, use that time to settle into a comfortable pace, but remain mindful of your fuel gauge to ensure you stay within your $47 budget. Flexibility is a major advantage here, as you can easily adjust your pace to accommodate weather or road conditions. Keep a close watch on your transition from the major interstates to County Road 1150, as the change in road type will require you to adjust your driving speed as you near Albion.

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 154.7 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 3h 3m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.9 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 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 154.7 miles or 3h 3m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albion, 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 309.3 miles and 6h 23m.

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 57 for about 168.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 154.7 mi from Waukegan, IL · 3h 3m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Addison, IL

155 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

Addison, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Addison, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 154.7 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 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 168.9 miles.

Arriving in Albion, IL

The final approach into Albion, 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 Albion, 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

$46.98 one way

$93.96 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 108 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$51.79	$103.58
premium	$4.80	$58.39	$116.78
diesel	$5.64	$68.72	$137.43

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	92.8	1	$32.48	$14.85
Efficient EV	77.3	0	$27.06	$12.37
EV Truck/SUV	123.7	1	$43.30	$19.80

Gas CO2

108 kg

EV CO2

36 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Waukegan, IL

Afternoon in Waukegan on Sunday

Local time

4:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Albion, IL

Afternoon in Albion on Sunday

Local time

4:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°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

18 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

6h 23m 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 Waukegan, IL to Albion, IL covers 309.3 miles and takes about 6h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, County Road 1150, Edens 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 154.7 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 $46.98 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.

The route from Waukegan, IL to Albion, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Albion, IL to Waukegan, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

309.5 mi 6h 25m

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

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Trip from Waukegan, IL to Albion, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Albion, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Waukegan, IL

Albion, IL

Same local time

18 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 23m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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