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Trip from Waukegan, IL to Robinson, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 53m

Distance

284.8 mi

458 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 41m ★
6 AM
5h 54m
8 AM
6h 20m
10 AM
6h 3m
12 PM
6h 0m
3 PM
6h 4m
5 PM
6h 18m
8 PM
5h 46m

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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city in Illinois, United States

Robinson, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Waukegan, IL to Robinson, IL covers 284.8 miles and takes about 5h 53m 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, North 1100th Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 168.9 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.53 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

142.4 miles from Waukegan, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 168.9 mi 3h 6m
Edens Expressway 13.7 mi 17m
North 1100th Avenue 12 mi 17m
North 1250th Street 11.2 mi 16m
Route 130 10 mi 14m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) 8.8 mi 11m
Kennedy Expressway 8.1 mi 11m
East 1050th Avenue 6.9 mi 10m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 168.9 mi, about 3h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Robinson, 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 Express Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

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.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Exit 190A Toward IL 16 East: Charleston
15

Turn straight onto IL 16

0.7 mi · 1 min · Charleston Avenue East
16

Continue on IL 16

6.0 mi · 8 min · Illinois Route 16
17

Continue on IL 16

1.8 mi · 2 min · West Lincoln Avenue
18

Turn right onto IL 130

1.6 mi · 2 min · 18th Street
19

Continue on IL 130

0.8 mi · 1 min · Illinois Route 130
20

Continue on IL 130

10.0 mi · 14 min · Route 130
21

Continue on IL 130

2.0 mi · 2 min · County Road 1825 East
22

Continue on IL 130

0.8 mi · 1 min · County Road 1775 E
23

Continue on IL 130

0.4 mi · 32 sec · North Haughton Highway
24

Continue on IL 130

1.3 mi · 1 min · 1700E
25

Continue on IL 130

4.0 mi · 5 min · North Haughton Highway
26

Continue on IL 130

2.1 mi · 3 min · County Road 1700E
27

Continue on IL 130

11 mi · 16 min · North 1250th Street
28

Turn left

284 ft · 15 sec
29

Turn left

508 ft · 18 sec
30

Turn straight onto IL 33

12 mi · 17 min · North 1100th Avenue
31

Continue on IL 33

0.5 mi · 44 sec · East Main Street
32

Continue on IL 33

0.6 mi · 57 sec · W Main St
33

Continue on IL 33

6.9 mi · 10 min · East 1050th Avenue
34

Continue on IL 33

1.6 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
35

Turn right onto Court Street

326 ft · 19 sec · Court Street
36

Turn left onto West Walnut Street

256 ft · 16 sec · West Walnut Street
37

Turn left onto Douglas Street

135 ft · 5 sec · Douglas Street
38

Arrive at destination

Douglas 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 142.4 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 2h 49m 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 63 miles or 1h 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 142.4 miles or 2h 49m 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 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Robinson, 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 284.8 miles and 5h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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.

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Joliet, IL

142 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 142.4 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 4.1 and 219.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
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.
4
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.
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
8
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
5
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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.53 one way

$89.05 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 100 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $48.89 $97.77
premium $4.89 $54.81 $109.61
diesel $5.61 $62.88 $125.76

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 85.4 1 $29.90 $13.67
Efficient EV 71.2 0 $24.92 $11.39
EV Truck/SUV 113.9 1 $39.87 $18.23

Gas CO2

100 kg

EV CO2

33 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 18, 2026

Origin

Waukegan, IL

Afternoon in Waukegan on Saturday

Local time

3:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Mostly Cloudy

WNW 15 to 20 mph 9% chance Live 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

Robinson, IL

Afternoon in Robinson on Saturday

Local time

3:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°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 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 53m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 49.1
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

284.8 mi in 5h 53m, mostly highway — 168.9 mi of that is on I 57.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.9 mi on I 57.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Edens Expressway. You will hit about 14 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 284.8 miles you will encounter 14 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.

About the Cities

Arriving in Robinson, IL

Full guide →

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 53m. Total distance: 284.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 168.9 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Robinson, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Robinson, IL before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.

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Plan the drive back the other way.

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