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Drive Time
4h 43m
Distance
235.3 mi
379 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bethany, IL
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Waukegan, IL to Bethany, IL covers 235.3 miles and takes about 4h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, I 72, Edens Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 123.2 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.79 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
117.6 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .
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This is a 4h 43m highway drive covering 235.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and I 72. The longest continuous stretch is about 123.2 miles on I 57.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 72. You will hit about 15 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.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 235.3 miles you will encounter 15 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 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto IL 137 / Buckley Road
Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 72 West: Decatur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit toward IL 48: Oreana, Decatur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Waukegan, IL to Bethany, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Decatur along the way.
Decatur
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 123.2 mi | 2h 17m |
| I 72 | 36.6 mi | 39m |
| Edens Expressway | 13.7 mi | 17m |
| North State Route 121 | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| North Skokie Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| IL 48 | 5.3 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Bethany, IL.
Start on North Jackson Street
Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue
Turn right onto Belvidere Street
Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue
Turn right onto IL 137
Turn left onto US 41
Continue on US 41
Continue on US 41
Continue on I 94; US 41
Continue on I 90; I 94
Continue on I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
Take the exit
Merge onto I 72
Take the exit
Turn left onto IL 48
Turn left onto US 36; IL 121
Continue on IL 121
Continue on IL 121
Turn right onto North Washington Street
Turn left onto West Main Street
Turn left onto North Lincoln Street
Turn right
Arrive at destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.6 miles or 2h 23m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethany, IL than in the middle of the route.
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 235.3 miles and 4h 43m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 117.6 mi from Waukegan, IL · 2h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 117.6 miles from Waukegan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 123.2 miles.
The final approach into Bethany, 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 Bethany, 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.
Regular Gas
$36.79 one way
$73.57 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.39 | $80.78 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.28 | $90.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.95 | $103.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.6 | 0 | $24.71 | $11.29 |
| Efficient EV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.59 | $9.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.1 | 1 | $32.94 | $15.06 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Waukegan on Wednesday
Local time
2:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Afternoon in Bethany on Wednesday
Local time
2:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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