The drive from Waukegan, IL to Sidney, IL covers 191.9 miles and takes about 3h 54m 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, I 74 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 117.8 miles on I 57.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.00 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
95.9 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 191.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 54m highway drive covering 191.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Edens Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 117.8 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 117.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Edens Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 miles in near IL 137 / Buckley Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 191.9 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 4.1 miles (IL 137 / Buckley Road): 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; at 51 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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.
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
168.8 mi into trip|~3h 20m in
Take the exit toward Market Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 240
Toward Market Street
5
172.5 mi into trip|~3h 26m in|North Neil Street
Turn left onto North Neil Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
117.8 mi
2h 11m
Edens Expressway
13.7 mi
17m
I 74
10.5 mi
11m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi
11m
Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi
11m
County Road 12
5.8 mi
10m
North Skokie Highway
5.6 mi
6m
Skokie Highway
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 117.8 mi, about 2h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Sidney, 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 right at fork onto I 57
118 mi·2 hr 11 min·I 57
Exit 63Toward I 57 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 240Toward Market Street
15
Turn left
96 ft·5 sec
16
Turn left onto Market Street
3.2 mi·4 min·Market Street
17
Turn right onto East Marketview Drive
0.3 mi·39 sec·East Marketview Drive
18
Turn left onto North Neil Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·North Neil Street
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
20
Merge onto I 74
10 mi·11 min·I 74
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 192Toward Saint Joseph
22
Turn straight onto North Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Main Street
23
Turn right onto East Sherman Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·East Sherman Street
24
Turn left onto South Elm Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·South Elm Street
25
Continue on Water Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Water Street
26
Continue on CR 2200E
3.0 mi·5 min·County Road 12
27
Keep slight right at fork onto County Road 12
2.8 mi·4 min·County Road 12
28
At end of road, turn right onto East Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East Main Street
29
Turn left onto South David Street
336 ft·14 sec·South David Street
30
Arrive at destination
South David 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 95.9 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.8 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 42 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.9 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sidney, 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 191.9 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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 117.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 95.9 mi from Waukegan, IL
· 1h 58m into the drive
The midpoint is around 95.9 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 117.8 miles.
Arriving in Sidney, IL
The final approach into Sidney, 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 Sidney, 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.
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
$30.00 one way
$60.00 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$32.94
$65.88
premium
$4.89
$36.93
$73.86
diesel
$5.61
$42.37
$84.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
3 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Tesla Destination Charger
Champaign, Illinois
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Urbana, Illinois
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Champaign, Illinois
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination: 1
Tesla: 1
ChargePoint: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.6
0
$20.15
$9.21
Efficient EV
48
0
$16.79
$7.68
EV Truck/SUV
76.8
0
$26.87
$12.28
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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 15, 2026
Origin
Waukegan, IL
Late night
in Waukegan on Saturday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sidney, IL
Late night
in Sidney on Saturday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°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
13 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
3h 54m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Sidney, IL covers 191.9 miles and takes about 3h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Edens Expressway, I 74. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 95.9 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 $30.00 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 191.9 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 4.1 miles (IL 137 / Buckley Road): 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; at 51 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Waukegan, IL to Sidney, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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.
