The drive from Waukegan, IL to Palestine, IL covers 267 miles and takes about 6h 4m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on SR 63, Wicker Avenue, IL 1 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 59.1 miles on SR 63.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.74 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
133.5 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 4m. Total distance: 267 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
The drive from Waukegan, IL to Palestine, IL covers 267 miles and takes about 6h 4m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
SR 63 is the longest continuous segment at about 59.1 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 21 significant decision points across 267 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 21 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
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 Palestine, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Paris along the way.
Paris
233 mi in|~5h 12m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
SR 63
59.1 mi
1h 15m
Wicker Avenue
58.8 mi
1h 18m
IL 1
29.5 mi
44m
US 41
21.6 mi
26m
Edens Expressway
13.7 mi
17m
Bishop Ford Freeway
10.8 mi
14m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
9.6 mi
10m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
SR 63
— 59.1 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Palestine, 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
59 mi·1 hr 15 min·SR 63
26
Turn right
0.3 mi·1 min
27
Continue on Pennington Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Pennington Road
28
Turn left onto US 150
4.5 mi·6 min·US 150
29
Continue on US 150
1.9 mi·2 min·N 3rd Street
30
Turn right onto West National Avenue
3.5 mi·5 min·West National Avenue
31
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·46 sec
32
Merge onto I 70; US 40
9.6 mi·10 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
33
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward IL 1: Marshall, Paris
34
Turn left onto IL 1
29 mi·44 min·IL 1
35
Turn left onto IL 33
3.4 mi·5 min·East 1050th Ave
36
Continue on IL 33
0.2 mi·18 sec·North Washington Street
37
Continue on IL 33
321 ft·6 sec·West Washington Street
38
Continue on IL 33
0.4 mi·46 sec·West Franklin Street
39
Turn right onto North Main Street
72 ft·3 sec·North Main Street
40
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 133.5 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.1 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 59 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.5 miles or 3h 3m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palestine, 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 267 miles and 6h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 SR 63 for about 59.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.5 mi from Waukegan, IL
· 3h 3m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.74 one way
$83.48 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.83
$91.66
premium
$4.89
$51.38
$102.76
diesel
$5.61
$58.95
$117.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
1 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: sparse
EVgo Charging Station
Marshall, Illinois
EVgo
1 DCFC
EVgo: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.1
0
$28.03
$12.82
Efficient EV
66.8
0
$23.36
$10.68
EV Truck/SUV
106.8
1
$37.38
$17.09
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
9:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Partly Sunny
WNW 15 to 20 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Palestine, IL
Morning
in Palestine on Saturday
Local time
9:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
5 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
6h 4m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Palestine, IL covers 267 miles and takes about 6h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are SR 63, Wicker Avenue, IL 1. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133.5 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 $41.74 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 21 significant decision points across 267 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.
On the drive from Waukegan, IL to Palestine, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Paris along the way.
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.
