Trip from Waukegan, IL to Bement, IL

Drive Time

3h 59m

Distance

199.8 mi

321 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 46m ★

6 AM

3h 59m

8 AM

4h 25m

10 AM

4h 8m

12 PM

4h 6m

3 PM

4h 10m

5 PM

4h 24m

8 PM

3h 51m

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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Bement, IL

Erick Ortega

Trip Overview

Spanning 199.8 miles across the Illinois landscape, this trip from Waukegan to Bement is a straightforward journey typically taking about 3 hours and 59 minutes. Because the route is compact, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won’t need to worry about overnight accommodations. You should budget approximately $30 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the heart of the Midwest, you will spend the bulk of your time on major thoroughfares including the Edens Expressway, I-57, and I-72. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, this drive offers a reliable, no-nonsense connection between these two Illinois communities.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

99.9 miles from Waukegan, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience, as 86% of your trip takes place on high-speed roads. You will settle into a consistent rhythm behind the wheel, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 123.2 miles along I-57. The route is designed for efficiency, favoring major interstates over local backroads to keep your travel time under four hours. As you transition from the urban density near Waukegan toward the more rural surroundings of Bement, the road character remains largely consistent. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes steady progress over technical maneuvering.

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

There are about 20 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 123.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 72. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near South Lewis Avenue.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 199.8 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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 12 key points

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

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

Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

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.

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

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

174.2 mi into trip | ~3h 26m in

Take the exit toward I 72 West: Decatur

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 235B Toward I 72 West: Decatur

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	123.2 mi	2h 17m
I 72	15.1 mi	16m
Edens Expressway	13.7 mi	17m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)	8.8 mi	11m
Kennedy Expressway	8.1 mi	11m
Macon Street	6.1 mi	8m
North Skokie Highway	5.6 mi	6m
Skokie Highway	3.8 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 123.2 mi, about 2h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Belvidere Street

Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue

2.9 mi · 5 min · South Lewis Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto IL 137

1.1 mi · 1 min · Buckley Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto US 41

5.6 mi · 6 min · North Skokie Highway

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 41

3.4 mi · 3 min · Skokie Valley Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 41

3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 94; US 41

14 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 90; I 94

8.1 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 90; I 94

2.4 mi · 2 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

Use the none lane.

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.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57

123 mi · 2 hr 17 min · I 57

Exit 63 Toward I 57 South: Memphis Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 235B Toward I 72 West: Decatur

Merge onto I 72

15 mi · 16 min · I 72

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Exit 166 Toward IL 105: Market Street

At end of road, turn left onto IL 105

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Old Route 47

Turn right onto IL 105

3.2 mi · 6 min · North Market Street

Continue on IL 105

6.1 mi · 8 min · Macon Street

Arrive at destination

IL 105

Trip Plan

To make the most of your time on the road, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the nearly four-hour journey. Since you are spending a significant portion of the trip on major interstates, keep an eye on traffic patterns when departing from the northern reaches of the route. Flexibility is your best asset here; because the drive is manageable in one day, you can easily adjust your departure time to avoid the heaviest regional congestion. A helpful tip for this specific trek is to ensure your fuel tank is ready for the 123.2-mile stretch on I-57, as choosing to refuel before hitting that segment will save you from having to pull off during the longest part of your 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 99.9 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 2h 3m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.2 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 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 99.9 miles or 2h 3m 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 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bement, 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 199.8 miles and 3h 59m.

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 123.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 99.9 mi from Waukegan, IL · 2h 3m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Orland Park, IL

100 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

Orland Park, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Joliet, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 99.9 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 123.2 miles.

Arriving in Bement, IL

The final approach into Bement, 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 Bement, 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

$30.35 one way

$60.70 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 70 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$33.45	$66.91
premium	$4.80	$37.72	$75.44
diesel	$5.64	$44.39	$88.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 69.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	59.9	$20.98	$9.59
Efficient EV	50	$17.48	$7.99
EV Truck/SUV	79.9	$27.97	$12.79

Gas CO2

70 kg

EV CO2

23 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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

8:57 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bement, IL

Evening in Bement on Sunday

Local time

8:57 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°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

11 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

3h 59m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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 Bement, IL covers 199.8 miles and takes about 3h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, I 72, 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 99.9 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 $30.35 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.