Origin
Waukegan, IL
Evening in Waukegan on Sunday
Local time
5:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waukegan, IL to Altamont, IL
Drive Time
5h 3m
Distance
262.7 mi
423 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 50m
★
6 AM
5h 3m
8 AM
5h 30m
10 AM
5h 13m
12 PM
5h 10m
3 PM
5h 14m
5 PM
5h 29m
8 PM
4h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Altamont, IL
Samuele Pellegrino
Trip Overview
Traveling from Waukegan to Altamont covers a total distance of 262.7 miles, typically taking about 5 hours and 3 minutes of drive time. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, you should plan on this being a full-day commitment. Budgeting roughly $39 for fuel will get you through the Midwest landscape from start to finish. Since the route is manageable in one go, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect a practical, ground-level perspective of Illinois as you navigate away from the northern region toward the central part of the state.
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
131.3 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
Forget the monotony of the interstate; this route is defined by its turn-heavy local nature rather than high-speed highway cruising. You will spend your time navigating through Glen Rock Avenue, Belvidere Street, and South Lewis Avenue, with a highway share of 0%. Because there is no major highway stretch, the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on Glen Rock Avenue, meaning you will need to stay sharp behind the wheel. The road demands your full attention as you transition between local paths, offering an experience that is much more hands-on than a standard expressway commute.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Glen Rock Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 3m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Waukegan, IL to Altamont, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Glen Rock Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Belvidere Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Lewis Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Buckley Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Skokie Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Skokie Valley Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Skokie Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Edens Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Glen Rock Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Altamont, IL.
1
Start on North Jackson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Jackson Street
2
Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Glen Rock Avenue
3
Turn right onto Belvidere Street
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Belvidere Street
4
Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
South Lewis Avenue
5
Turn right onto Buckley Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Buckley Road
6
Turn left onto North Skokie Highway
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
North Skokie Highway
7
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Skokie Valley Road
8
Continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Skokie Highway
9
Continue on Edens Expressway
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
10
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
11
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
12
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
13
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
201 mi
·
3 hr 40 min
·
I 57 South: Memphis
14
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 West: Saint Louis
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
I 70 West: Saint Louis
15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 128: Altamont
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
IL 128: Altamont
16
Turn right onto Farina Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Farina Road
17
Continue on South Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
To keep your 5-hour and 3-minute journey smooth, aim to depart early in the morning to account for the frequent turns and local traffic patterns. Since you have at least one planned stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $39 fuel budget in mind as you pace yourself. Given the technical nature of the roads, avoid driving during peak local rush hours if possible to reduce frustration. Your best strategy is to rely on a reliable GPS system, as the reliance on local streets like Belvidere and Lewis means missing a turn could easily add time to your trip. Staying flexible with your schedule will make this long, winding drive much more enjoyable.
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 131.3 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.3 miles or 2h 31m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altamont, 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 262.7 miles and 5h 3m.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 131.3 mi from Waukegan, IL · 2h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 131.3 miles from Waukegan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Altamont, IL
The final approach into Altamont, 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 Altamont, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.90 one way
$79.80 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $43.99 | $87.97 |
| premium | $4.80 | $49.59 | $99.18 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $58.36 | $116.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.8 | 0 | $27.58 | $12.61 |
| Efficient EV | 65.7 | 0 | $22.99 | $10.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.1 | 1 | $36.78 | $16.81 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Altamont, IL
Evening in Altamont on Sunday
Local time
5:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°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
13 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
5h 3m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Altamont, IL covers 262.7 miles and takes about 5h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Glen Rock Avenue, Belvidere Street, South Lewis Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 131.3 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 $39.90 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 3m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Waukegan, IL to Altamont, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Waukegan, IL to Altamont, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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