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Trip from Waukegan, IL to Glen Carbon, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 53m

Distance

310.7 mi

500 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

10 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 41m ★
6 AM
5h 54m
8 AM
6h 20m
10 AM
6h 3m
12 PM
6h 0m
3 PM
6h 4m
5 PM
6h 19m
8 PM
5h 46m

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, United States

Glen Carbon, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Waukegan, IL to Glen Carbon, IL covers 310.7 miles and takes about 5h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Tri-State Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 137.7 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.57 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

155.4 miles from Waukegan, IL

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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 137.7 mi 2h 28m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 119.4 mi 2h 13m
Tri-State Tollway 42.6 mi 51m
I 270 2.2 mi 2m
Belvidere Road 2.2 mi 3m
Belvidere Street 1.6 mi 3m
Glen Crossing Road 1.1 mi 2m
South Main Street 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 137.7 mi, about 2h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Glen Carbon, 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

14 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

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.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto I 55

119 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

65 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

73 mi · 1 hr 18 min · I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 32 sec
Exit 20B Toward I 270 West: Kansas City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto I 270

2.2 mi · 2 min · I 270
17

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 32 sec
Exit 12 Toward IL 159: Collinsville, Edwardsville
18

Keep slight left at fork

138 ft · 6 sec
19

Turn left onto IL 159

0.4 mi · 42 sec · South State Route 159
20

Turn right onto Glen Crossing Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Glen Crossing Road
21

Turn left onto South Main Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
22

Arrive at destination

South Main 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 155.4 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.7 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 68 miles or 1h 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 155.4 miles or 3h 2m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glen Carbon, 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 310.7 miles and 5h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 55 for about 137.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Normal, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

155 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 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Normal, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 155.4 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 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 137.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Cancun

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Sherman, Illinois

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 222

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12174963221

Visit website

El Quetzalito Mexican Restaurant

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Divernon, Illinois

1.6 mi

Sonic Drive-In

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Edwardsville, Illinois

2.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukegan, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Cancun

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 222

Sherman, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12174963221

Visit website

El Quetzalito Mexican Restaurant

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 244.2

Divernon, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12176280000

Visit website

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour Expensive mile 44.4

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 310.7

Edwardsville, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+16186551281

Visit website

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 310.7

Edwardsville, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16186595060

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour Expensive mile 44.4

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

Taco Bell

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 44.4

Countryside, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+17083545535

Visit website

Mai Thai Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv mile 44.4

Westmont, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16304554298

Visit website

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Waukegan, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10

Gurnee, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 155.4

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 199.8

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12177354444

Visit website

Universal Charging Station

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 199.8

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663502738

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 155.4

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 155.4

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484261

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 155.4

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484273

Visit website

Holiday Inn Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 155.4

Normal, Illinois

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 199.8

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333994638

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 44.4

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 18.9 and 305.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
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
6
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.
7
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
8
168.1 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in | I 55

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

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
7
305.8 mi into trip | ~5h 45m in

Take the exit toward I 270 West: Kansas City

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 20B Toward I 270 West: Kansas City

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.57 one way

$97.15 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 109 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $53.33 $106.67
premium $4.89 $59.79 $119.58
diesel $5.61 $68.60 $137.20

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

$49

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

10 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Rivian Waypoints

Normal, Illinois

Rivian

1 DCFC

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Lincoln, Illinois

Other

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Normal, Illinois

Tesla

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Normal, Illinois

Tesla

1 DCFC

Rivian Adventure Network

Normal, Illinois

Rivian

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Bloomington, Illinois

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Universal Charging Station

Lincoln, Illinois

Other

1 DCFC

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Lincoln, Illinois

InCharge

1 DCFC

Other: 3 Rivian: 2 Tesla: 2 ChargePoint: 2 InCharge: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 93.2 1 $32.62 $14.91
Efficient EV 77.7 0 $27.19 $12.43
EV Truck/SUV 124.3 1 $43.50 $19.88

Gas CO2

109 kg

EV CO2

36 kg (67% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Waukegan, IL

Afternoon in Waukegan on Saturday

Local time

1:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Glen Carbon, IL

Afternoon in Glen Carbon on Saturday

Local time

1:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°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

15 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

5h 53m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

National Monument

In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 225
View on nps.gov
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...

19 mi from route ~47 min detour Free near mile 42.9
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This is a 5h 53m highway drive covering 310.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 137.7 miles on I 55.

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 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 137.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. 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.

Driving Effort 9/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 310.7 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 48.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Glen Carbon, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, St. Louis and Springfield.

O'hare

18.9 mi in | ~25m | via I 294

St. Louis

47.6 mi in | ~1h 1m

Springfield

168.1 mi in | ~3h 16m | via I 55

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 53m. Total distance: 310.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Waukegan, IL to Glen Carbon, IL covers 310.7 miles and takes about 5h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 55, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Tri-State Tollway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 155.4 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 $48.57 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 310.7 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 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 48.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Between Waukegan, IL and Glen Carbon, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, St. Louis and Springfield.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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