Trip from Waukegan, IL to Aviston, IL

Drive Time

6h 18m

Distance

330.3 mi

532 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 6m ★
6 AM
6h 18m
8 AM
6h 44m
10 AM
6h 27m
12 PM
6h 25m
3 PM
6h 28m
5 PM
6h 42m
8 PM
6h 11m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Aviston, IL, IL

Aviston, IL

Yusuf Çelik

Trip Overview

Traveling from Waukegan to Aviston covers 330.3 miles through the heart of Illinois, typically taking about 6 hours and 18 minutes to complete. Because the route is straightforward and heavily highway-focused, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $50 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the Midwest landscape, you will rely primarily on the Edens Expressway and I-57 to make your way south. While you could certainly stretch this into a two-day excursion, most drivers will find that a single day of travel is perfectly sufficient to reach your destination.

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

165.1 miles from Waukegan, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a drive defined by efficiency, as 87% of your time will be spent on highways. You will experience a significant, long-haul stretch of 241.7 miles while cruising along I-57, which serves as the backbone of your journey. The road transitions from the dense, high-traffic corridors near Waukegan to the more open, consistent interstate stretches that characterize the drive southward. It is a functional, highway-focused route that prioritizes speed over technical maneuvering or winding backroads. Prepare for a steady, predictable rhythm behind the wheel as you traverse the state from north to south.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 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 241.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and West Missouri Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near South Lewis Avenue.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 330.3 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 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 19 key points

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

5
1.2 mi into trip | ~3m in | South Lewis Avenue

Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
5
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.
8
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
8
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
6
293.2 mi into trip | ~5h 34m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Waukegan, IL to Aviston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Sandoval along the way.

Sandoval

292.8 mi in | ~5h 33m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 241.7 mi 4h 24m
West Missouri Avenue 14.1 mi 16m
Edens Expressway 13.7 mi 17m
US 50 13.1 mi 15m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) 8.8 mi 11m
Kennedy Expressway 8.1 mi 11m
North Skokie Highway 5.6 mi 6m
Skokie Highway 3.8 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 241.7 mi, about 4h 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Aviston, 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 · 33 sec · Belvidere Street
4

Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue

2.9 mi · 5 min · South Lewis Avenue
Use the none lane.
5

Turn right onto IL 137

1.1 mi · 1 min · Buckley Road
Use the right lane.
6

Turn left onto US 41

5.6 mi · 6 min · North Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
7

Continue on US 41

3.4 mi · 3 min · Skokie Valley Road
Use the none lane.
8

Continue on US 41

3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 94; US 41

14 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 90; I 94

8.1 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway
Use the none lane.
11

Continue on I 90; I 94

2.4 mi · 2 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the none lane.
12

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.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57

201 mi · 3 hr 40 min · I 57
Exit 63 Toward I 57 South: Memphis Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57

41 mi · 43 min · I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
16

Keep slight right at fork

83 ft · 2 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
17

Turn right onto US 50

2.2 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
18

Continue on US 50

2.7 mi · 3 min · East Poplar Street
19

Continue on US 50

2.7 mi · 3 min · Poplar
20

At end of road, turn left onto US 50; US 51

443 ft · 5 sec · North Mine Street
21

Continue on US 50; US 51

0.2 mi · 16 sec · N Mine St
22

Turn right onto US 50

14 mi · 16 min · West Missouri Avenue
23

Turn right onto US 50; IL 127

1.0 mi · 1 min · 12th Street
24

Turn left onto US 50

13 mi · 15 min · US 50
25

Turn left onto Russland Road

0.2 mi · 42 sec · Russland Road
26

Turn left onto Old US Hwy 50

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Old US Hwy 50
27

Continue on Harrison Street

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Harrison Street
28

Turn right onto Clinton Street

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Clinton Street
29

Turn left onto 2nd Street

106 ft · 4 sec · 2nd Street
30

Arrive at destination

2nd Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 6-hour and 18-minute trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since you are spending nearly the entire journey on major interstates, keep a close eye on local traffic reports near Waukegan before you depart to avoid initial congestion. Because the longest segment spans over 240 miles on I-57, make sure your vehicle is prepped for a sustained period of high-speed travel. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to beat potential bottlenecks and ensure you arrive in Aviston with plenty of daylight left. Flexibility is a major advantage here, as the simple road network allows you to adjust your pace easily based on how you feel throughout the day.

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 165.1 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 241.7 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 165.1 miles or 3h 14m 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 10m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aviston, 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 330.3 miles and 6h 18m.

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 241.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 165.1 mi from Waukegan, IL · 3h 14m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

165 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.

Popular next leg

Champaign, IL to Aviston, IL

159.6 mi · 3h

Pacing Suggestions

Orland Park, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 165.1 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 241.7 miles.

Arriving in Aviston, IL

The final approach into Aviston, 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 Aviston, 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

$50.17 one way

$100.34 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 116 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $55.31 $110.61
premium $4.80 $62.35 $124.71
diesel $5.64 $73.38 $146.76

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$50

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$75–$100

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 115.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 99.1 1 $34.68 $15.85
Efficient EV 82.6 0 $28.90 $13.21
EV Truck/SUV 132.1 1 $46.24 $21.14

Gas CO2

116 kg

EV CO2

39 kg (66% 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

Evening in Waukegan on Sunday

Local time

6:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Aviston, IL

Evening in Aviston on Sunday

Local time

6:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

58°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

15 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 18m 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 Aviston, IL covers 330.3 miles and takes about 6h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, West Missouri Avenue, 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 165.1 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 $50.17 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 330.3 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.
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.
On the drive from Waukegan, IL to Aviston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Sandoval along the way.

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Return Trip

Aviston, IL to Waukegan, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

326.5 mi 6h 19m

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