Origin
Waukegan, IL
Night in Waukegan on Thursday
Local time
11:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waukegan, IL to Sugar Grove, IL
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 33m
Distance
71.8 mi
116 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 47m
8 PM
1h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sugar Grove, IL
Skyler Ewing
Trip Overview
This 71.8-mile drive from Waukegan, IL to Sugar Grove, IL is a straightforward trip through the Midwest, entirely within Illinois. Expect the journey to take approximately 1 hour and 33 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $11. You'll primarily navigate using the Tri-State Tollway and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, with a brief section on IL 56. This route is designed for efficiency, not necessarily for sightseeing, so plan accordingly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.9 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 71.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This drive presents a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, despite a significant portion being on tollways. With only 6% highway share, you'll experience a dynamic route rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 35.5 miles on the Tri-State Tollway, offering a period of consistent travel before transitioning to more varied local roads and turns. Expect to navigate through a mix of environments as you make your way across northern Illinois.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 35.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.8 miles you will encounter 19 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 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 40 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese 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
8
40 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
8
40.6 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31A
Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
8
41.8 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
9
71.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 47 South, US 30 East: Sugar Grove
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward IL 47 South, US 30 East: Sugar Grove
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 Sugar Grove, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).
O'hare
18.9 mi in
|
~25m
|
via I 294
Indiana
39 mi in
|
~50m
|
via I 294
22Nd Street (Cermak Road)
41.8 mi in
|
~55m
|
via I 88; IL 110
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Tollway | 35.5 mi | 44m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 25.8 mi | 31m |
| IL 56 | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Belvidere Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Belvidere Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| North Jackson Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Glen Rock Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Illinois Route 47 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 35.5 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Sugar Grove, 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
20 mi
·
25 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
Use the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit onto I 294
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 294
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15A
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 31A
Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
0.8 mi
·
59 sec
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
25 mi
·
30 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 56
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
IL 56
Exit 113
Toward IL 56 West: Sugar Grove
Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 30 East, IL 47: Sugar Grove, Elburn
Use the right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward IL 47 South, US 30 East: Sugar Grove
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto IL 47
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Illinois Route 47
18
Continue on US 30; IL 47
347 ft
·
8 sec
·
United States Route 30
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto Cross Street
270 ft
·
17 sec
·
Cross Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left
69 ft
·
7 sec
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right
76 ft
·
5 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 33 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. There are no specific recommended stops, so you can tailor your breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before embarking, as the estimated cost is $11. A practical tip for this route would be to familiarize yourself with the sequence of tollways and the IL 56 segment beforehand, as the "turn-heavy" nature means you'll be making several directional changes.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 35.9 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.5 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 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.9 miles or 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sugar Grove, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Waukegan, IL
This is one driving day of about 71.8 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Waukegan, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 35.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.9 mi from Waukegan, IL · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.9 miles from Waukegan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Sugar Grove, IL
The final approach into Sugar Grove, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.23 one way
$22.45 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.32 | $24.65 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.82 | $27.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.85 | $31.71 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.68
Tri-state Tollway
(35.5 mi)
$2.13
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(25.8 mi)
$1.55
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
$11
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.54 | $3.45 |
| Efficient EV | 18 | 0 | $6.28 | $2.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.7 | 0 | $10.05 | $4.60 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Sugar Grove, IL
Night in Sugar Grove on Thursday
Local time
11:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Elmhurst, IL
36 mi in
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
12 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 33m 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 Sugar Grove, IL covers 71.8 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, IL 56. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.9 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 $11.23 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.8 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 40 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Waukegan, IL and Sugar Grove, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).
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