Trip from Waukegan, IL to Galva, IL

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

3h 52m

Distance

187.5 mi

302 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 40m ★

6 AM

3h 52m

8 AM

4h 18m

10 AM

4h 1m

12 PM

3h 59m

3 PM

4h 3m

5 PM

4h 17m

8 PM

3h 45m

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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Trip Overview

The drive from Waukegan, IL to Galva, IL covers 187.5 miles and takes about 3h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, Tri-State Tollway, Adlai Stevenson Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.8 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.31 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

93.7 miles from Waukegan, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .

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Drive Character

The drive from Waukegan, IL to Galva, IL covers 187.5 miles and takes about 3h 52m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 80.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.9 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 187.5 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 18.9 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

18.9 mi into trip | ~25m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare

46.4 mi into trip | ~59m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

47.6 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in

Take the exit toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

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

Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

48.3 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

74.6 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in

Take the exit toward I 80 West: Iowa

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 250B Toward I 80 West: Iowa

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Waukegan, IL and Galva, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, St. Louis and Peoria.

O'hare

18.9 mi in | ~25m | via I 294

St. Louis

47.6 mi in | ~1h 1m

Peoria

156.2 mi in | ~3h 4m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	80.8 mi	1h 26m
Tri-State Tollway	42.6 mi	51m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway	25.9 mi	32m
Tenney Street	10.5 mi	16m
965 North Avenue	5.9 mi	8m
525 E Street	3.7 mi	5m
County Road 1500 N	2.5 mi	3m
Belvidere Road	2.2 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 80.8 mi, about 1h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

Continue on IL 120

2.2 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago

Merge onto I 94

14 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

23 mi · 28 min · Tri-State Tollway

Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 55

26 mi · 32 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 250B Toward I 80 West: Iowa Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 80

81 mi · 1 hr 26 min · I 80

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Toward IL 40: Sterling, Peoria

Turn right onto IL 40

0.1 mi · 10 sec · 900 East Street

Continue on IL 40

1.6 mi · 2 min · IL 40

Turn right

123 ft · 4 sec

Turn right onto US 6; US 34

2.5 mi · 3 min · County Road 1500 N

Continue on US 6; US 34

0.3 mi · 29 sec · North Mason Street

Continue on US 6; US 34

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Railroad Street

Turn left onto US 34

1.6 mi · 2 min · 550 East Street

Continue on US 34

0.8 mi · 1 min · 525 East Street

Continue on US 34

3.7 mi · 5 min · 525 E Street

Continue on US 34

5.9 mi · 8 min · 965 North Avenue

Continue on US 34

1.3 mi · 1 min · US 34

Continue on US 34

216 ft · 3 sec · North East Street

Continue on US 34

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East 2nd Street

Turn left onto US 34; IL 78

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Main Street

Continue on US 34; IL 78

11 mi · 16 min · Tenney Street

Turn right onto Southeast 1st Avenue

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Southeast 1st Avenue

Continue on Chester Street

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Chester Street

At end of road, turn left onto Front Street

81 ft · 3 sec · Front Street

Arrive at destination

Front Street

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 93.7 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 1h 57m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.8 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 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 93.7 miles or 1h 57m 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 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Galva, 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 187.5 miles and 3h 52m.

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 80 for about 80.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 93.7 mi from Waukegan, IL · 1h 57m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Joliet, IL

94 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

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Aurora, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93.7 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 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.8 miles.

Arriving in Galva, IL

The final approach into Galva, 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 Galva, 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

$29.31 one way

$58.63 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$32.19	$64.37
premium	$4.89	$36.08	$72.17
diesel	$5.61	$41.40	$82.80

Estimated Tolls: $2.55

Tri-state Tollway (42.6 mi) $2.55

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

$29

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	56.3	$19.69	$9.00
Efficient EV	46.9	$16.41	$7.50
EV Truck/SUV	75	$26.25	$12.00

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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 1 day ago

Origin

Waukegan, IL

Late night in Waukegan on Wednesday

Local time

5:29 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 15 mph 48% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:00PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:00PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Galva, IL

Late night in Galva on Wednesday

Local time

5:29 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°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

12 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 52m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 Galva, IL covers 187.5 miles and takes about 3h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 80, Tri-State Tollway, Adlai Stevenson Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 93.7 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 $29.31 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.

Between Waukegan, IL and Galva, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, St. Louis and Peoria.

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