Waukegan to Oak Brook is 43.9 miles and takes about 58 minutes via Tri-State Tollway, Belvidere Road, and Belvidere Street, with a fuel budget near $7 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive within Illinois, connecting two points in the Midwest region. Expect a local feel for much of the journey, rather than an open highway experience. It's a short trip, making it easy to fit into a single day, perfect for a quick relocation or visit.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 58m. Total distance: 43.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll navigate a series of local streets and intersections. While the Tri-State Tollway provides a longer stretch of 37.1 miles, much of the journey involves more intricate local road navigation. The highway share is 0%, indicating that even the 'longest stretch' is on a tollway, not a traditional interstate. Be prepared for frequent adjustments and a pace that's more about local traffic flow than high-speed travel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 37.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
722 ft636 ft
Total Climb
142 ft
Total Descent
134 ft
Highest Point
722 ft
~3.1 mi in
Elevation Range
87 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in near I 94 / Tri-State Tollway.
Driving Effort9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 43.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 58m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles (I 94 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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 41.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
5.1 mi into trip|~9m in|I 94 / Tri-State Tollway
Merge onto I 94 / Tri-State Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
4
41.6 mi into trip|~54m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
42.3 mi into trip|~55m in
Take the exit toward Cermak Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 29
Toward Cermak Road
7
42.4 mi into trip|~55m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Waukegan, IL to Oak Brook, IL, road signs begin pointing toward O'hare along the way.
O'hare
18.9 mi in|~25m|via I 294
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Tri-State Tollway
37.1 mi
45m
Belvidere Road
2.2 mi
3m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
York Road
1 mi
2m
North Jackson Street
0.5 mi
1m
Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
22nd Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Oak Brook Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 37.1 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Oak Brook, 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'HareUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
0.5 mi·29 sec·Tri-State Tollway
9
Take the exit
468 ft·11 sec
10
Merge onto I 294
0.1 mi·35 sec·Tri-State Tollway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 29Toward Cermak Road
12
Keep slight left at fork
227 ft·7 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto 22nd Street
0.4 mi·47 sec·22nd Street
14
Turn left onto York Road
1.0 mi·2 min·York Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Oak Brook Road
71 ft·1 sec·Oak Brook Road
16
Arrive at destination
Oak Brook Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22 mi from Waukegan, IL
· 29m into the drive
The midpoint is around 22 miles from Waukegan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Oak Brook, IL
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Oak Brook, IL if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.86 one way
$13.73 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg15 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$7.54
$15.07
premium
$4.89
$8.45
$16.90
diesel
$5.61
$9.69
$19.39
Estimated Tolls: $2.23
Tri-state Tollway
(37.1 mi)$2.23
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$2
Total
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
13.2
0
$4.61
$2.11
Efficient EV
11
0
$3.84
$1.76
EV Truck/SUV
17.6
0
$6.15
$2.81
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Waukegan, IL
Morning
in Waukegan on Saturday
Local time
8:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Partly Sunny
WNW 15 to 20 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:50AM CDT until April 21 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:48AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Oak Brook, IL
Morning
in Oak Brook on Saturday
Local time
8:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 15 mph50% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:50AM CDT until April 21 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:48AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
5 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
58m 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 Oak Brook, IL covers 43.9 miles and takes about 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, Belvidere Road, Belvidere Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22 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 $6.86 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 is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 43.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 58m.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles (I 94 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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 41.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Waukegan, IL to Oak Brook, IL, road signs begin pointing toward O'hare along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 636 ft to 722 ft elevation with about 142 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
