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 Athens, IL
Drive Time
4h 23m
Distance
225.2 mi
362 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 10m
★
6 AM
4h 24m
8 AM
4h 50m
10 AM
4h 33m
12 PM
4h 30m
3 PM
4h 34m
5 PM
4h 49m
8 PM
4h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Athens, IL
Gergely Meszárcsek
Trip Overview
Spanning 225.2 miles across the Illinois heartland, this journey from Waukegan to Athens is a localized trek that takes approximately 4 hours and 23 minutes. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you should plan on a full day of travel to complete the trip comfortably. Budgeting around $33 for fuel is a safe estimate for the drive. While it is certainly feasible as a one-day commitment, the turn-heavy nature of the path means you will be actively navigating rather than cruising on autopilot. This is a straightforward Midwest transit that connects two distinct points within the state, offering a practical way to traverse the region if you prefer avoiding major highway congestion.
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
112.6 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly tactile driving experience as this route features zero highway miles, focusing entirely on local roads like Glen Rock Avenue, Belvidere Street, and Belvidere Road. The character of the trip is defined by a turn-heavy profile, requiring your full attention as you navigate through the local infrastructure. Because there is no long-distance highway stretch, you will find a consistent rhythm of turns rather than the monotony of interstate travel. The longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on Glen Rock Avenue, which highlights the frequent adjustments you will need to make behind the wheel. It is a drive that demands engagement, making it a stark contrast to high-speed, multi-lane transit routes.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 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 4h 23m 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 Athens, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Glen Rock Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Belvidere Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Belvidere Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 94 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tri-State Tollway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 55 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 55 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Adlai Stevenson 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 Athens, 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
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Street
4
Continue on Belvidere Road
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Road
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
I 94 East Toll: Chicago
6
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
14 mi
·
15 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
7
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
23 mi
·
28 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
8
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
9
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
I 55 South: Saint Louis
12
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119 mi
·
2 hr 13 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
13
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
48 mi
·
51 min
·
I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 123: Williamsville
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
IL 123: Williamsville
15
Keep slight right
367 ft
·
9 sec
16
Turn straight onto County Highway 2
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
County Highway 2
17
Continue on Dinius Road
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Dinius Road
18
Continue on County Road 11 North
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road 11 North
19
Turn right
1.5 mi
·
2 min
20
Turn left onto Springfield Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Springfield Road
21
Continue on East Hargrave Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Hargrave Street
22
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Main Street
108 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Main Street
23
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 23-minute duration, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day local traffic and ensure you arrive in Athens before dark. You have one scheduled stop planned, which provides a necessary break to stretch your legs after navigating the constant turns of the local road network. Since you are not utilizing highways, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as local service stations may be less frequent than those found along major interstates. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so do not feel rushed by a rigid schedule; allow yourself enough time to handle the frequent turns safely. A concrete tip for this route is to download your navigation maps ahead of time, as the reliance on local roads can occasionally lead to spotty signal areas.
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 112.6 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 2h 11m 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.6 miles or 2h 11m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Athens, 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 225.2 miles and 4h 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 112.6 mi from Waukegan, IL · 2h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
113 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 112.6 miles from Waukegan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Athens, IL
The final approach into Athens, 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 Athens, 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
$34.21 one way
$68.41 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $37.71 | $75.42 |
| premium | $4.80 | $42.51 | $85.03 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $50.03 | $100.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.65 | $10.81 |
| Efficient EV | 56.3 | 0 | $19.71 | $9.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.1 | 1 | $31.53 | $14.41 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Destination
Athens, IL
Evening in Athens on Sunday
Local time
5:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
21 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 23m 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 Athens, IL covers 225.2 miles and takes about 4h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Glen Rock Avenue, Belvidere Street, Belvidere Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 112.6 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 $34.21 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 4h 23m 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 Athens, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Waukegan, IL to Athens, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Athens, IL
More trips to Athens, IL
Explore more options from Waukegan, IL or browse trips ending in Athens, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Waukegan, IL or Athens, IL on MapSof.net.