The drive from Waukegan, IL to Harris, IL covers 212.5 miles and takes about 4h 51m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Wicker Avenue, Georgetown Road, US 41 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 58.8 miles on Wicker Avenue.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.22 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
106.2 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 212.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Waukegan, IL to Harris, IL covers 212.5 miles and takes about 4h 51m, 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 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Wicker Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 58.8 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 42.2 miles in near I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express).
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 212.5 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 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 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
7
51 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway toward I 94 East: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 94 East: Indiana
8
61.8 mi into trip|~1h 23m in|I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 80 East, I 94 East: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 80 East, I 94 East: Indiana
9
62.9 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 6 West, IL 83: Torrence Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 161
Toward US 6 West, IL 83: Torrence Avenue
9
63.4 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 6 West, IL 83 West: Torrence Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 161
Toward US 6 West, IL 83 West: Torrence Avenue
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Wicker Avenue
58.8 mi
1h 18m
Georgetown Road
27.7 mi
41m
US 41
21.6 mi
26m
SR 63
18.1 mi
23m
Edens Expressway
13.7 mi
17m
Bishop Ford Freeway
10.8 mi
14m
I 74
9.3 mi
10m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Wicker Avenue
— 58.8 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Harris, 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 ExpressUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
11 mi·14 min·Bishop Ford Freeway
Toward I 94 East: IndianaUse the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
1.1 mi·1 min·I 94
Toward I 80 East, I 94 East: IndianaUse the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·43 sec
Exit 161Toward US 6 West, IL 83: Torrence AvenueUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 161Toward US 6 West, IL 83 West: Torrence AvenueUse the slight left lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
502 ft·12 sec
Toward IL 83 South
18
Turn straight onto IL 83
3.7 mi·5 min·Torrence Avenue
19
Turn left onto IL 83
1.8 mi·2 min·Glenwood Dyer Road
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 30
1.0 mi·2 min·Lincoln Highway
21
Continue on US 30
2.7 mi·5 min·Joliet Street
22
Continue on US 30
0.1 mi·20 sec·West Lincoln Highway
23
Turn right onto US 41
59 mi·1 hr 18 min·Wicker Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
22 mi·26 min·US 41
25
Continue on SR 63
18 mi·23 min·SR 63
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 74 West
27
Merge onto I 74
9.3 mi·10 min·I 74
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward US 150, IL 1
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward US 150 East, IL 1 South
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·40 sec
Toward US 150 East, IL 1 South: Georgetown Road
31
Continue on US 150; IL 1
14 mi·20 min·Georgetown Road
32
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.9 mi·2 min·North State Street
33
Continue on US 150; IL 1
6.1 mi·9 min·Georgetown Road
34
Continue on US 150; IL 1
0.3 mi·28 sec·1575 E US 36
35
Continue on US 150; IL 1
7.9 mi·11 min·Georgetown Road
36
Turn right onto East 1400th Road
0.9 mi·3 min·East 1400th Road
37
Arrive at destination
East 1400th 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 106.2 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.8 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 47 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.2 miles or 2h 26m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harris, 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 212.5 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 Wicker Avenue for about 58.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 106.2 mi from Waukegan, IL
· 2h 26m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.8
0
$22.31
$10.20
Efficient EV
53.1
0
$18.59
$8.50
EV Truck/SUV
85
1
$29.75
$13.60
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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 18, 2026
Origin
Waukegan, IL
Morning
in Waukegan on Saturday
Local time
7:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Partly Sunny
WNW 15 to 20 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Harris, IL
Morning
in Harris on Saturday
Local time
7:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
25 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
4h 51m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Waukegan, IL to Harris, IL covers 212.5 miles and takes about 4h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Wicker Avenue, Georgetown Road, US 41. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106.2 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 $33.22 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 20 significant decision points across 212.5 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 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 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Waukegan, IL to Harris, 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
