The drive from Waukegan, IL to Pontoon Beach, IL covers 317 miles and takes about 5h 59m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Tri-State Tollway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 137.7 miles on I 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.56 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
158.5 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 6m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 59m. Total distance: 317 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 59m highway drive covering 317 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 137.7 miles on I 55.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 137.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.9 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 317 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 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 46.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
6
46.4 mi into trip|~59m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
48.3 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
168.1 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
7
305.8 mi into trip|~5h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 20B
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Waukegan, IL and Pontoon Beach, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, St. Louis and Springfield.
O'hare
18.9 mi in|~25m|via I 294
St. Louis
47.6 mi in|~1h 1m
Springfield
168.1 mi in|~3h 16m|via I 55
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
137.7 mi
2h 28m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119.4 mi
2h 13m
Tri-State Tollway
42.6 mi
51m
I 270
8.1 mi
9m
Belvidere Road
2.2 mi
3m
IL 111
1.9 mi
2m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
Pontoon Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 137.7 mi, about 2h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Pontoon Beach, 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
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 23Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 55
119 mi·2 hr 13 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
73 mi·1 hr 18 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·32 sec
Exit 20BToward I 270 West: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 270
8.1 mi·9 min·I 270
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6BToward IL 111 North: Wood River
18
Keep slight left at fork
158 ft·4 sec
19
Turn left onto IL 111
1.9 mi·2 min·IL 111
20
Turn right onto Pontoon Road
0.5 mi·55 sec·Pontoon Road
21
Turn right onto Breckenridge Lane
57 ft·5 sec·Breckenridge Lane
22
Turn right
30 ft·2 sec
23
Arrive at destination
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 158.5 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.7 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 70 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.5 miles or 3h 6m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pontoon Beach, 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 317 miles and 5h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 55 for about 137.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 158.5 mi from Waukegan, IL
· 3h 6m into the drive
The midpoint is around 158.5 miles from Waukegan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Pontoon Beach, IL
The final approach into Pontoon Beach, 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 Pontoon Beach, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 229.5
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 43.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.56 one way
$99.12 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$54.41
$108.83
premium
$4.89
$61.00
$122.01
diesel
$5.61
$69.99
$139.98
Estimated Tolls: $2.55
Tri-state Tollway
(42.6 mi)$2.55
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.1
1
$33.29
$15.22
Efficient EV
79.3
0
$27.74
$12.68
EV Truck/SUV
126.8
1
$44.38
$20.29
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Morning
in Waukegan on Friday
Local time
11:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pontoon Beach, IL
Morning
in Pontoon Beach on Friday
Local time
11:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°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
18 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 59m 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 Pontoon Beach, IL covers 317 miles and takes about 5h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Tri-State Tollway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 158.5 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 $49.56 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 19 significant decision points across 317 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 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 46.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Waukegan, IL and Pontoon Beach, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, St. Louis and Springfield.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
