Origin
Waukegan, IL
Evening in Waukegan on Tuesday
Local time
6:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waukegan, IL to Lakewood, IL
Data updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
59m
Distance
34.7 mi
56 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 54m
★
6 AM
0h 59m
8 AM
1h 9m
10 AM
1h 3m
12 PM
1h 2m
3 PM
1h 3m
5 PM
1h 8m
8 PM
0h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakewood, IL
Mike Tyurin
Trip Overview
The drive from Waukegan, IL to Lakewood, IL covers 34.7 miles and takes about 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Belvidere Road, Belvidere Road, South Front Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 10.5 miles on East Belvidere Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.42 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
17.4 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 59m drive with frequent turns across 34.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Belvidere Road is the longest continuous segment at about 10.5 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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 21.6 miles in near V45 / Chapel Hill Road.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 34.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 21.6 miles (V45 / Chapel Hill Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles (A32 / Charles J Miller Road): Navigation decision point; at 24.6 miles (IL 31 / South Front Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
21.6 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
V45 / Chapel Hill Road
Turn left onto V45 / Chapel Hill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
23.2 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
A32 / Charles J Miller Road
Turn right onto A32 / Charles J Miller Road
Navigation decision point
4
24.6 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
IL 31 / South Front Street
Turn left onto IL 31 / South Front Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
32.7 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Turn sharp left
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
33.7 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
South Dole Avenue
Turn right onto South Dole Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Belvidere Road | 10.5 mi | 16m |
| Belvidere Road | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| South Front Street | 5.1 mi | 8m |
| East Terra Cotta Avenue | 3 mi | 5m |
| Belvidere Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Elm Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Rand Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Charles J Miller Road | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
East Belvidere Road
— 10.5 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Lakewood, 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
10 mi
·
16 min
·
East Belvidere Road
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on IL 120
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Rand Road
7
Continue on IL 120
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Elm Street
8
Turn left onto V45
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Chapel Hill Road
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on V45
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North River Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right onto A32
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Charles J Miller Road
11
Continue on A32
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Bull Valley Road
12
Turn left onto IL 31
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
South Front Street
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto IL 176
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
East Terra Cotta Avenue
14
Turn sharp left
214 ft
·
7 sec
15
Continue on US 14
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Virginia Street
16
Turn right onto South Dole Avenue
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Dole Avenue
17
Continue on Lake Shore Drive
509 ft
·
22 sec
·
Lake Shore Drive
18
Continue on Lake Avenue
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Lake Avenue
19
Turn left onto Riverside Drive
305 ft
·
14 sec
·
Riverside Drive
20
Turn right onto Broadway Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Broadway Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 17.4 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.5 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 34.7 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.4 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakewood, 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 34.7 miles and 59m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on East Belvidere Road for about 10.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.4 mi from Waukegan, IL · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.4 miles from Waukegan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lakewood, IL
The final approach into Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, 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
$5.42 one way
$10.85 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.96 | $11.91 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.68 | $13.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.66 | $15.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.64 | $1.67 |
| Efficient EV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.04 | $1.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.9 | 0 | $4.86 | $2.22 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Destination
Lakewood, IL
Evening in Lakewood on Tuesday
Local time
6:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
37°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
6 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
59m 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 Lakewood, IL covers 34.7 miles and takes about 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Belvidere Road, Belvidere Road, South Front Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.4 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 $5.42 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 34.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 21.6 miles (V45 / Chapel Hill Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles (A32 / Charles J Miller Road): Navigation decision point; at 24.6 miles (IL 31 / South Front Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Waukegan, IL to Lakewood, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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