Trip from Waukegan, IL to Assumption, IL

Drive Time

4h 46m

Distance

237.1 mi

382 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 33m ★

6 AM

4h 47m

8 AM

5h 14m

10 AM

4h 56m

12 PM

4h 53m

3 PM

4h 57m

5 PM

5h 12m

8 PM

4h 39m

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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Assumption, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

Spanning 237.1 miles across Illinois, this journey from Waukegan to Assumption is a straightforward trek that takes approximately 4 hours and 46 minutes of drive time. Because it is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will spend roughly 63% of your time on highways, utilizing major routes like the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and the Tri-State Tollway before transitioning onto local thoroughfares such as North Walnut Street. Budgeting about $36 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way trip. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition from the northern suburbs down toward the heart 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

118.6 miles from Waukegan, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is primarily a highway-focused drive, designed for efficiency rather than leisurely wandering. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch of 119.4 miles cruising along the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, which allows you to cover significant ground quickly. While the majority of the route consists of high-speed interstate travel, the driving experience shifts as you move away from the major tollways and eventually navigate onto North Walnut Street. Expect a blend of fast-paced transit and the typical transition toward local infrastructure as you approach your final destination. It is a functional, steady drive that rewards you with a predictable pace across the Illinois landscape.

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

There are about 23 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 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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 237.1 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 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 16 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.

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

Towns Along This Route

Between Waukegan, IL and Assumption, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, St. Louis, Decatur and Bloomington.

O'hare

18.9 mi in | ~25m | via I 294

St. Louis

47.6 mi in | ~1h 1m

Decatur

168.1 mi in | ~3h 16m | via I 74; US 51

Bloomington

170.2 mi in | ~3h 19m | via US 51

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway	119.4 mi	2h 13m
Tri-State Tollway	42.6 mi	51m
North Walnut Street	23.2 mi	29m
South Business Route 51	18.2 mi	21m
North 1450 East Road	14.7 mi	17m
US 51 Business	9.9 mi	15m
Belvidere Road	2.2 mi	3m
I 74	2.1 mi	2m

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 Assumption, 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 left at fork onto I 74; US 51

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 74; US 51

Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur

Take the exit onto US 51

0.3 mi · 39 sec · US 51

Exit 135 Toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington

Continue on US 51

15 mi · 17 min · North 1450 East Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 51

23 mi · 29 min · North Walnut Street

Use the none lane.

Turn straight onto US 51 Business

9.9 mi · 15 min · US 51 Business

Take the ramp onto US 51 Business

18 mi · 21 min · South Business Route 51

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto County Highway 6

0.2 mi · 22 sec · County Highway 6

Continue on East 1200 North Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · East 1200 North Road

Turn left onto North Oak Street

0.2 mi · 52 sec · North Oak Street

Turn right onto East 1st Street

105 ft · 4 sec · East 1st Street

Arrive at destination

East 1st Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 237.1-mile drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid the heaviest congestion near the start of your journey. With only one recommended stop planned, you have plenty of flexibility to pace yourself based on your own comfort levels and fuel needs. Keep an eye on your dashboard as you transition from the major expressway stretches to the local roads, as navigation requirements will change once you exit the highway system. Since the fuel cost is estimated at $36, topping off your tank before leaving Waukegan will ensure you have plenty of range to reach Assumption without unnecessary interruptions. Prioritize a single, well-timed break midway through the trip to keep your focus sharp for the final leg of the drive.

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 118.6 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 2h 21m 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 118.6 miles or 2h 21m 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 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Assumption, 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 237.1 miles and 4h 46m.

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 118.6 mi from Waukegan, IL · 2h 21m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Akron, IL

119 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 118.6 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.4 miles.

Arriving in Assumption, IL

The final approach into Assumption, 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 Assumption, 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

$36.01 one way

$72.03 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 83 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$39.70	$79.40
premium	$4.80	$44.76	$89.52
diesel	$5.64	$52.68	$105.35

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

$36

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 83 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	71.1	0	$24.90	$11.38
Efficient EV	59.3	0	$20.75	$9.48
EV Truck/SUV	94.8	1	$33.19	$15.17

Gas CO2

83 kg

EV CO2

28 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Waukegan, IL

Afternoon in Waukegan on Sunday

Local time

2:54 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Assumption, IL

Afternoon in Assumption on Sunday

Local time

2:54 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

78°F

Akron, IL

119 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

12 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 46m 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 Assumption, IL covers 237.1 miles and takes about 4h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

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

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 118.6 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 $36.01 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 Assumption, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, St. Louis, Decatur and Bloomington.

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Return Trip

Assumption, IL to Waukegan, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

239 mi 4h 49m

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Trip from Waukegan, IL to Assumption, 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 Assumption, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Waukegan, IL

Assumption, IL

Same local time

12 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 46m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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