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Trip from Waukegan, IL to Guilford, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 42m

Distance

160 mi

257 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 30m ★
6 AM
3h 43m
8 AM
4h 8m
10 AM
3h 52m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 53m
5 PM
4h 7m
8 PM
3h 35m

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 Guilford, IL covers 160 miles and takes about 3h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, South Elizabeth Scales Mound Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.1 miles on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.01 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

80 miles from Waukegan, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 42m. Total distance: 160 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 42m drive with frequent turns across 160 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 55.1 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 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 9.9 miles in near South Atkinson Road.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 160 miles you will encounter 15 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 9.9 miles (South Atkinson Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.4 miles (IL 176): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.7 miles (Barrington Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

5
9.9 mi into trip | ~16m in | South Atkinson Road

Turn left onto South Atkinson Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
14.4 mi into trip | ~24m in | IL 176

Turn right onto IL 176

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
19.7 mi into trip | ~33m in | Barrington Road

Turn left onto Barrington Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
34.8 mi into trip | ~57m in | I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Merge onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
76.4 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in

Take the exit toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington

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

Toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway 55.1 mi 1h 9m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway 41.6 mi 44m
South Elizabeth Scales Mound Road 8.1 mi 14m
IL 59 7.8 mi 12m
South Galena Avenue 7.3 mi 13m
New Sutton Road 6.3 mi 9m
Belvidere Road 6.3 mi 9m
IL 176 5.4 mi 8m
Longest stretch: U.S. Grant Memorial Highway — 55.1 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

6.3 mi · 9 min · Belvidere Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Continue on IL 120

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Belvidere Road
6

Turn left onto South Atkinson Road

0.5 mi · 58 sec · South Atkinson Road
Use the left lane.
7

Continue on IL 83

3.7 mi · 6 min · Ivanhoe Road
8

Continue on Schank Avenue

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Schank Avenue
9

Turn right onto IL 176

5.4 mi · 8 min · IL 176
Use the left lane.
10

Turn left onto Barrington Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Barrington Road
Use the left lane.
11

Continue on IL 59

7.8 mi · 12 min · IL 59
Use the right lane.
12

Turn slight right

284 ft · 4 sec
Use the slight right lane.
13

Continue on IL 59

6.3 mi · 9 min · New Sutton Road
Use the left lane.
14

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 90 West Toll: Rockford
15

Merge onto I 90

42 mi · 44 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington
17

Merge onto I 39; US 51

0.5 mi · 30 sec · I 39; US 51
18

Continue on I 39; US 20; US 51

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 39; US 20; US 51
19

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20

30 mi · 34 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
20

Take the exit onto US 20 Business

3.6 mi · 5 min · US 20 Business
Toward US 20 BUS: Freeport
21

Turn slight right onto US 20 Business

7.3 mi · 13 min · South Galena Avenue
22

Turn left onto US 20

14 mi · 19 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
23

Continue on US 20; IL 78

2.1 mi · 3 min · East North Avenue
24

Continue on US 20

6.4 mi · 8 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
25

Continue on US 20

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Woodbine Street
26

Continue on US 20

4.6 mi · 6 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
27

Continue on US 20

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
28

Turn straight onto US 20

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Diagonal Street
29

Continue on US 20

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Madison Street
30

Turn right onto CR 4

8.1 mi · 14 min · South Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
31

Turn left onto West Rawlins Road

1.9 mi · 4 min · West Rawlins Road
32

Continue on West Guilford Road

0.4 mi · 56 sec · West Guilford Road
33

Arrive at destination

West Guilford Road

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 80 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.1 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 35 miles or 57m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 80 miles or 1h 46m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Guilford, 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 160 miles and 3h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 U.S. Grant Memorial Highway for about 55.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 80 mi from Waukegan, IL · 1h 46m into the drive

Downtown Rockford, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

80 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

Elgin, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80 miles from Waukegan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Guilford, IL

The final approach into Guilford, 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 Guilford, IL.

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 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

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

Hansa Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 11.4

Libertyville, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18472268815

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

Midway Village Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 80

Rockford, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18153979112

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.01 one way

$50.03 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $27.46 $54.93
premium $4.89 $30.79 $61.58
diesel $5.61 $35.33 $70.65

Estimated Tolls: $2.91

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (41.6 mi) $2.91

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

$25

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 56 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48 0 $16.80 $7.68
Efficient EV 40 0 $14.00 $6.40
EV Truck/SUV 64 0 $22.40 $10.24

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Waukegan, IL

Afternoon in Waukegan on Friday

Local time

3:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Guilford, IL

Afternoon in Guilford on Friday

Local time

3:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°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

13 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

3h 42m 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 Guilford, IL covers 160 miles and takes about 3h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, South Elizabeth Scales Mound Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 80 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 $25.01 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.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 160 miles you will encounter 15 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 9.9 miles (South Atkinson Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.4 miles (IL 176): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.7 miles (Barrington Road): Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Waukegan, IL to Guilford, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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