Trip from Waukegan, IL to Plainfield, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 10m

Distance

256.8 mi

413 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 57m ★

6 AM

5h 10m

8 AM

5h 37m

10 AM

5h 20m

12 PM

5h 17m

3 PM

5h 21m

5 PM

5h 36m

8 PM

5h 2m

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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Plainfield, IL

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Trip Overview

The drive from Waukegan, IL to Plainfield, IL covers 256.8 miles and takes about 5h 10m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, Edens Expressway, Route 130 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 168.9 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.15 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

128.4 miles from Waukegan, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 256.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 10m highway drive covering 256.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Edens Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 168.9 miles on I 57.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 168.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Edens Expressway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 miles in near IL 137 / Buckley 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 256.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 4.1 miles (IL 137 / Buckley Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (US 41 / North Skokie Highway): Lane positioning matters here; 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

4.1 mi into trip | ~8m in | IL 137 / Buckley Road

Turn right onto IL 137 / Buckley Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

5.2 mi into trip | ~10m in | US 41 / North Skokie Highway

Turn left onto US 41 / North Skokie Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

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

51 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in | I 57

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 63 Toward I 57 South: Memphis

219.9 mi into trip | ~4h 15m in

Take the exit toward IL 16 East: Charleston

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 190A Toward IL 16 East: Charleston

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	168.9 mi	3h 6m
Edens Expressway	13.7 mi	17m
Route 130	10 mi	14m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)	8.8 mi	11m
Kennedy Expressway	8.1 mi	11m
Illinois Route 16	6 mi	8m
North Skokie Highway	5.6 mi	6m
North 1250th Street	4.7 mi	7m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 168.9 mi, about 3h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Plainfield, IL.

Start on North Jackson Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Jackson Street

Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

Turn right onto Belvidere Street

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Belvidere Street

Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue

2.9 mi · 5 min · South Lewis Avenue

Turn right onto IL 137

1.1 mi · 1 min · Buckley Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto US 41

5.6 mi · 6 min · North Skokie Highway

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 41

3.4 mi · 3 min · Skokie Valley Road

Continue on US 41

3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 94; US 41

14 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 90; I 94

8.1 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Continue on I 90; I 94

2.4 mi · 2 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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 Express Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57

169 mi · 3 hr 6 min · I 57

Exit 63 Toward I 57 South: Memphis Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec

Exit 190A Toward IL 16 East: Charleston

Turn straight onto IL 16

0.7 mi · 1 min · Charleston Avenue East

Continue on IL 16

6.0 mi · 8 min · Illinois Route 16

Continue on IL 16

1.8 mi · 2 min · West Lincoln Avenue

Turn right onto IL 130

1.6 mi · 2 min · 18th Street

Continue on IL 130

0.8 mi · 1 min · Illinois Route 130

Continue on IL 130

10.0 mi · 14 min · Route 130

Continue on IL 130

2.0 mi · 2 min · County Road 1825 East

Continue on IL 130

0.8 mi · 1 min · County Road 1775 E

Continue on IL 130

0.4 mi · 32 sec · North Haughton Highway

Continue on IL 130

1.3 mi · 1 min · 1700E

Continue on IL 130

4.0 mi · 5 min · North Haughton Highway

Continue on IL 130

2.1 mi · 3 min · County Road 1700E

Continue on IL 130

4.7 mi · 7 min · North 1250th Street

Turn left onto North Street

0.4 mi · 58 sec · North Street

Turn left onto North 1280th Street

61 ft · 2 sec · North 1280th Street

Arrive at destination

North 1280th Street

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 128.4 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 2h 34m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.9 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 56 miles or 1h 14m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 128.4 miles or 2h 34m 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 4m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plainfield, 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 256.8 miles and 5h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 I 57 for about 168.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 128.4 mi from Waukegan, IL · 2h 34m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Joliet, IL

128 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

Chicago, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Joliet, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 128.4 miles from Waukegan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 168.9 miles.

Arriving in Plainfield, IL

The final approach into Plainfield, 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 Plainfield, IL.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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 Restaurant

Nad Tatrami Polish Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Monee, Illinois

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 73.4

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17088855092

Visit website

Arcade Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Paxton, Illinois

1.2 mi

Diego Chicago Restaurant | Dinner, Late Night, Weekend Brunch

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chicago, Illinois

1.7 mi

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

Bombastic Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chicago, Illinois

2.4 mi

Nad Tatrami Polish Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 73.4

Monee, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17088855092

Visit website

Arcade Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 146.7

Paxton, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12173793268

Diego Chicago Restaurant | Dinner, Late Night, Weekend Brunch

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 36.7

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 4 pm–12 am

+13122918449

Visit website

Subway

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv mile 55

Blue Island, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17082390888

Visit website

Sila's mediterranean Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 36.7

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+18557452123

Visit website

The Original Pancake House - Beverly

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 55

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17734456100

Visit website

Paxton Family Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 146.7

Paxton, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+12173792777

2d restaurant House of Teriyaki

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 36.7

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–5 pm

+17733608484

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

Bombastic Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 36.7

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Nube's Ice Cream & Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv mile 36.7

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+17733580857

The Well

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 91.7

Manteno, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+17795295090

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

PD Coffee Shop

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 36.7

Chicago, Illinois

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 220.1

Mattoon, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 220.1

Mattoon, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 220.1

Mattoon, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

International Museum of Surgical Science, A Division of the International College of Surgeons

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 36.7

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm

+13126426502

Visit website

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 53.1

Caution: Road Construction Near the Park

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$40.15 one way

$80.30 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 90 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$44.08	$88.16
premium	$4.89	$49.42	$98.84
diesel	$5.61	$56.70	$113.40

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 89.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

3 DC fast chargers · Coverage: fair

ChargePoint Charging Station

Mattoon, Illinois

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Mattoon, Illinois

Blink

1 DCFC

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Mattoon, Illinois

Other

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 1 Blink: 1 Other: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	77	0	$26.96	$12.33
Efficient EV	64.2	0	$22.47	$10.27
EV Truck/SUV	102.7	1	$35.95	$16.44

Gas CO2

90 kg

EV CO2

30 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 15, 2026

Origin

Waukegan, IL

Evening in Waukegan on Thursday

Local time

6:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Plainfield, IL

Evening in Plainfield on Thursday

Local time

6:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°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

11 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

5h 10m 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 Plainfield, IL covers 256.8 miles and takes about 5h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, Edens Expressway, Route 130. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 128.4 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 $40.15 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.

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

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Return Trip

Plainfield, IL to Waukegan, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

256.9 mi 5h 11m

Explore more options from Waukegan, IL or browse trips ending in Plainfield, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Waukegan, IL or Plainfield, IL on MapSof.net.

Trip from Waukegan, IL to Plainfield, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Plainfield, IL

Nearby Places

Nad Tatrami Polish Restaurant

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

Nad Tatrami Polish Restaurant

Arcade Cafe

Diego Chicago Restaurant | Dinner, Late Night, Weekend Brunch

Subway

Sila's mediterranean Restaurant

The Original Pancake House - Beverly

Paxton Family Restaurant

2d restaurant House of Teriyaki

Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee

Bombastic Cafe

Nube's Ice Cream & Coffee Shop

The Well

Haraz Coffee House

PD Coffee Shop

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

International Museum of Surgical Science, A Division of the International College of Surgeons

National Parks Near This Route

Pullman National Historical Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Waukegan, IL

Plainfield, IL

Same local time

11 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 10m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Continue From Plainfield, IL

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