Trip from Waukegan, IL to Ashland, IL

Drive Time

4h 54m

Distance

247.4 mi

398 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 41m ★

6 AM

4h 54m

8 AM

5h 21m

10 AM

5h 4m

12 PM

5h 1m

3 PM

5h 5m

5 PM

5h 20m

8 PM

4h 46m

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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Ashland, IL

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Traveling from Waukegan to Ashland covers 247.4 miles across the Illinois landscape, typically taking about 4 hours and 54 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused drive, it works well as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $38 for fuel to complete the journey. Navigating this route involves utilizing the Tri-State Tollway and the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, which keep you moving efficiently through the Midwest. It is a straightforward trip for those looking to reach Ashland quickly, though the duration will fluctuate based on traffic conditions near the major urban corridors you pass through.

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

123.7 miles from Waukegan, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a trip dominated by high-speed transit, as 76% of your journey takes place on major highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 119.4 miles. This is primarily an interstate-focused drive, meaning you can anticipate a steady, consistent pace rather than technical winding roads. While the route is efficient, the character of the drive remains functional and industrial as you transition from the northern reaches of the state toward central Illinois. Prepare for a focused, highway-heavy experience that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity.

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.

Adlai Stevenson Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 119.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55. 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 19 significant decision points across 247.4 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 41.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 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

41.6 mi into trip | ~54m 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 none lane.

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 none / straight / slight right lanes.

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

168.1 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in | I 55

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

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

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

Towns Along This Route

Between Waukegan, IL and Ashland, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, St. Louis, Springfield and Sherman.

O'hare

18.9 mi in | ~25m | via I 294

St. Louis

47.6 mi in | ~1h 1m

Springfield

168.1 mi in | ~3h 16m | via I 55

Sherman

220.5 mi in | ~4h 13m | via I 55 Business

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway	119.4 mi	2h 13m
I 55	52.4 mi	56m
Tri-State Tollway	42.6 mi	51m
IL 125	11.9 mi	17m
West Jefferson Street	5 mi	7m
South Sherman Boulevard	4.6 mi	7m
Veterans Parkway	4.1 mi	5m
Belvidere Road	2.2 mi	3m

Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 119.4 mi, about 2h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Use the none lane.

Continue on IL 120

2.2 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago

Merge onto I 94

14 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

23 mi · 28 min · Tri-State Tollway

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

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec

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

Merge onto I 55

119 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

52 mi · 56 min · I 55

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto I 55 Business

0.5 mi · 1 min · I 55 Business

Toward Sherman

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 Business

317 ft · 7 sec · I 55 Business

Toward Sherman

Merge onto I 55 Business

4.6 mi · 7 min · South Sherman Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Continue on IL 4; IL 29

4.1 mi · 5 min · Veterans Parkway

Use the left / none lanes.

Take the exit

475 ft · 14 sec

Turn straight onto IL 97

5.0 mi · 7 min · West Jefferson Street

Use the straight lane.

Continue on IL 125

12 mi · 17 min · IL 125

Use the none lane.

Continue on East Fremont Street

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East Fremont Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto North Athens Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · North Athens Street

Turn right onto East Washington Street

0.3 mi · 33 sec · East Washington Street

Arrive at destination

West Washington Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 247.4-mile trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since you are spending nearly five hours on the road, leaving early in the morning helps you avoid the heaviest congestion on the Tri-State Tollway and the Stevenson Expressway. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer segments, as consistent highway speeds can increase consumption. Because this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for traffic. A helpful tip is to check tollway traffic reports specifically for the Chicago-area segments before you pull out of your driveway in Waukegan.

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 123.7 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 2h 27m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.4 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 123.7 miles or 2h 27m 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 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ashland, 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 247.4 miles and 4h 54m.

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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 119.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 123.7 mi from Waukegan, IL · 2h 27m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Akron, IL

124 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.

Akron, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 123.7 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.4 miles.

Arriving in Ashland, IL

The final approach into Ashland, 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 Ashland, 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

$37.58 one way

$75.16 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$41.42	$82.85
premium	$4.80	$46.70	$93.41
diesel	$5.64	$54.96	$109.93

Estimated Tolls: $2.55

Tri-state Tollway (42.6 mi) $2.55

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

$38

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 86.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	74.2	0	$25.98	$11.88
Efficient EV	61.9	0	$21.65	$9.90
EV Truck/SUV	99	1	$34.64	$15.83

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Waukegan, IL

Afternoon in Waukegan on Sunday

Local time

2:56 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ashland, IL

Afternoon in Ashland on Sunday

Local time

2:56 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

78°F

Akron, IL

124 mi in

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

7 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

4h 54m 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 Ashland, IL covers 247.4 miles and takes about 4h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 55, Tri-State Tollway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 123.7 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 $37.58 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.

Between Waukegan, IL and Ashland, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, St. Louis, Springfield and Sherman.

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Return Trip

Ashland, IL to Waukegan, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

247.2 mi 4h 54m

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Trip from Waukegan, IL to Ashland, 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 Ashland, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Waukegan, IL

Ashland, IL

Same local time

7 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 54m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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