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Trip from Waukegan, IL to Energy, IL

Drive Time

6h 47m

Distance

357.5 mi

575 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 35m ★
6 AM
6h 47m
8 AM
7h 11m
10 AM
6h 55m
12 PM
6h 53m
3 PM
6h 57m
5 PM
7h 10m
8 PM
6h 40m

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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village in Illinois

Energy, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Waukegan, IL to Energy, IL covers 357.5 miles and takes about 6h 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, Edens Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 266.5 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $54.30 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

178.8 miles from Waukegan, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 29m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 47m highway drive covering 357.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 266.5 miles on I 57.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 266.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 miles in near IL 137 / Buckley Road.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 357.5 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 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; at 51 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

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 straight / slight right lanes. 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
5
251.8 mi into trip | ~4h 49m in | I 57

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 57 South: Memphis
5
350.2 mi into trip | ~6h 35m in

Take the exit toward Johnston City, Herrin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Johnston City, Herrin

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 266.5 mi 4h 51m
Ken Gray Expressway 32.7 mi 35m
Edens Expressway 13.7 mi 17m
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
Skokie Valley Road 3.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 266.5 mi, about 4h 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Energy, 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
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
8

Continue on US 41

3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 94; US 41

14 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 90; I 94

8.1 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11

Continue on I 90; I 94

2.4 mi · 2 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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 straight / slight right lanes.
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

66 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57

33 mi · 35 min · Ken Gray Expressway
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward Johnston City, Herrin
17

Turn right onto Herrin Road

3.1 mi · 4 min · Herrin Road
18

Continue on East Herrin Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · East Herrin Street
19

Turn left onto IL 148

1.8 mi · 2 min · North Park Avenue
20

Continue on IL 148

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Pershing Street
21

Turn right onto West College Street

15 ft · 0 sec · West College Street
22

Arrive at destination

West College Street

Trip Plan

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 178.8 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 3h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 266.5 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 178.8 miles or 3h 29m 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 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Energy, 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 357.5 miles and 6h 47m.

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 266.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 178.8 mi from Waukegan, IL · 3h 29m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

179 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.

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 178.8 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 266.5 miles.

Arriving in Energy, IL

The final approach into Energy, 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 Energy, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

Pullman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 49.3
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$54.30 one way

$108.60 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 125 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $59.86 $119.72
premium $4.80 $67.49 $134.98
diesel $5.64 $79.42 $158.85

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$54

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 125.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 107.3 1 $37.54 $17.16
Efficient EV 89.4 1 $31.28 $14.30
EV Truck/SUV 143 1 $50.05 $22.88

Gas CO2

125 kg

EV CO2

42 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

Afternoon in Waukegan on Monday

Local time

2:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Energy, IL

Afternoon in Energy on Monday

Local time

2:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

62°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

19 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 47m 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 Energy, IL covers 357.5 miles and takes about 6h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, 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 178.8 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 $54.30 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 13 significant decision points across 357.5 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 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; at 51 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Waukegan, IL to Energy, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Energy, IL to Waukegan, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

358.4 mi 6h 49m

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