Origin
Waukegan, IL
Evening in Waukegan on Wednesday
Local time
6:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waukegan, IL to Blackhawk, IL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 43m
Distance
163.2 mi
263 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 31m
★
6 AM
3h 44m
8 AM
4h 9m
10 AM
3h 53m
12 PM
3h 50m
3 PM
3h 54m
5 PM
4h 8m
8 PM
3h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Blackhawk, IL
Derek Keats
Trip Overview
The drive from Waukegan, IL to Blackhawk, IL covers 163.2 miles and takes about 3h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Glen Rock Avenue, Belvidere Street, Belvidere Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.51 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
81.6 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 43m drive with frequent turns across 163.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 36 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. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Waukegan, IL to Blackhawk, IL is easy. At 3h 43m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Waukegan, IL to Blackhawk, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Glen Rock Avenue | — | — |
| Belvidere Street | — | — |
| Belvidere Road | — | — |
| East Belvidere Road | — | — |
| South Atkinson Road | — | — |
| Ivanhoe Road | — | — |
| Schank Avenue | — | — |
| Barrington Road | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Glen Rock Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Blackhawk, 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
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Belvidere Road
5
Continue on East Belvidere Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Belvidere Road
6
Turn left onto South Atkinson Road
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
South Atkinson Road
7
Continue on Ivanhoe Road
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Ivanhoe Road
8
Continue on Schank Avenue
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Schank Avenue
9
Turn right
5.4 mi
·
8 min
10
Turn left onto Barrington Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Barrington Road
11
Continue straight
7.8 mi
·
12 min
12
Turn slight right
285 ft
·
5 sec
13
Continue on New Sutton Road
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
New Sutton Road
14
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 West Toll: Rockford
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
I 90 West Toll: Rockford
15
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
42 mi
·
44 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
16
Take the exit slight right toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington
17
Merge slight right
0.5 mi
·
30 sec
18
Continue straight
2.1 mi
·
2 min
19
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
30 mi
·
34 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
20
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 BUS: Freeport
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
US 20 BUS: Freeport
21
Turn slight right onto South Galena Avenue
7.3 mi
·
13 min
·
South Galena Avenue
22
Turn left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
14 mi
·
19 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
23
Continue on East North Avenue
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
East North Avenue
24
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
25
Continue on East Woodbine Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Woodbine Street
26
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
27
Continue on South Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
28
Turn straight onto Diagonal Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Diagonal Street
29
Continue on West Madison Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Madison Street
30
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
31
Turn left onto Washington Street
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Washington Street
32
Turn left onto Jefferson Street
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Jefferson Street
33
Continue on Jefferson Street
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Jefferson Street
34
Turn sharp right onto Army Depot Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Army Depot Road
35
Turn left onto Blackhawk Trail
335 ft
·
15 sec
·
Blackhawk Trail
36
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 81.6 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 1h 51m 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 36 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.6 miles or 1h 51m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blackhawk, 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 163.2 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 81.6 mi from Waukegan, IL · 1h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.6 miles from Waukegan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Blackhawk, IL
The final approach into Blackhawk, 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 Blackhawk, 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
$25.51 one way
$51.03 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.01 | $56.03 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.41 | $62.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.03 | $72.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49 | 0 | $17.14 | $7.83 |
| Efficient EV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.28 | $6.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.3 | 0 | $22.85 | $10.44 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Blackhawk, IL
Evening in Blackhawk on Wednesday
Local time
6:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Harlem, IL
82 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
4 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 43m 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 Blackhawk, IL covers 163.2 miles and takes about 3h 43m 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 81.6 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 $25.51 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.
The drive from Waukegan, IL to Blackhawk, IL is easy. At 3h 43m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Waukegan, IL to Blackhawk, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Waukegan, IL to Blackhawk, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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