Origin
Waukegan, IL
Night in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
10:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waukegan, IL to Deer Park, IL
Data updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
43m
Distance
27.8 mi
45 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 40m
★
6 AM
0h 44m
8 AM
0h 51m
10 AM
0h 46m
12 PM
0h 46m
3 PM
0h 47m
5 PM
0h 51m
8 PM
0h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Deer Park, IL
Muzin Kahraman
Trip Overview
The drive from Waukegan, IL to Deer Park, IL covers 27.8 miles and takes about 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Tri-State Tollway, Half Day Road, Quentin Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 10.2 miles on Tri-State Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.35 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
13.9 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 43m drive with frequent turns across 27.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 10.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Glen Rock Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 27.8 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.5 miles (Glen Rock Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 5.1 miles (I 94 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Glen Rock Avenue
Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
5.1 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 94 / Tri-State Tollway
Merge onto I 94 / Tri-State Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
15.3 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward IL 22: Half Day Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 21
Toward IL 22: Half Day Road
4
15.6 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
IL 22 / Half Day Road
Turn right onto IL 22 / Half Day Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
27.8 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
Deerpath Road
Turn left onto Deerpath Road
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Tollway | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| Half Day Road | 6.9 mi | 11m |
| Quentin Road | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Belvidere Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Belvidere Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Long Grove Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| North Jackson Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 10.2 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Deer Park, 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 IL 120
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvidere Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
6
Merge onto I 94
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 21
Toward IL 22: Half Day Road
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn right onto IL 22
6.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Half Day Road
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on IL 22
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
10
Turn left onto V62
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Quentin Road
11
Turn right onto Long Grove Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Long Grove Road
12
Turn left onto Deerpath Road
112 ft
·
4 sec
·
Deerpath Road
13
Arrive at destination
Deerpath Road
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 13.9 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.2 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 27.8 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.9 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Deer Park, 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 27.8 miles and 43m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 10.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.9 mi from Waukegan, IL · 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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 27.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.9 miles from Waukegan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Deer Park, IL
The final approach into Deer Park, 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 Deer Park, 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
$4.35 one way
$8.69 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $4.77 | $9.54 |
| premium | $4.89 | $5.35 | $10.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.14 | $12.28 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.61
Tri-state Tollway
(10.2 mi)
$0.61
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
$4
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.92 | $1.33 |
| Efficient EV | 7 | 0 | $2.43 | $1.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.1 | 0 | $3.89 | $1.78 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Deer Park, IL
Night in Deer Park on Tuesday
Local time
10:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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 Deer Park, IL covers 27.8 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, Half Day Road, Quentin Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.9 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 $4.35 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 27.8 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Glen Rock Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 5.1 miles (I 94 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Waukegan, IL to Deer Park, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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