Origin
Waukegan, IL
Evening in Waukegan on Wednesday
Local time
6:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waukegan, IL to Lanark, IL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 2m
Distance
131.7 mi
212 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 52m
★
6 AM
3h 3m
8 AM
3h 26m
10 AM
3h 11m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 12m
5 PM
3h 25m
8 PM
2h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lanark, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Waukegan, IL to Lanark, IL covers 131.7 miles and takes about 3h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, IL 72, South Main Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 41.6 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.59 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
65.8 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive from Waukegan, IL to Lanark, IL covers 131.7 miles and takes about 3h 2m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 41.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.9 miles in near South Atkinson Road.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 131.7 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 9.9 miles (South Atkinson Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.4 miles (IL 176): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.7 miles (Barrington Road): 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.
5
9.9 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
South Atkinson Road
Turn left onto South Atkinson Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
14.4 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
IL 176
Turn right onto IL 176
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
19.7 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
Barrington Road
Turn left onto Barrington Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
34.8 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
76.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Waukegan, IL to Lanark, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Dixon along the way.
Dixon
85.1 mi in
|
~1h 52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 41.6 mi | 44m |
| IL 72 | 25.6 mi | 38m |
| South Main Road | 9.1 mi | 13m |
| IL 59 | 7.8 mi | 12m |
| New Sutton Road | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Belvidere Road | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| U.S. Grant Memorial Highway | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| IL 176 | 5.4 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
— 41.6 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Lanark, 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
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Belvidere Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on IL 120
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Belvidere Road
6
Turn left onto South Atkinson Road
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
South Atkinson Road
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on IL 83
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Ivanhoe Road
8
Continue on Schank Avenue
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Schank Avenue
9
Turn right onto IL 176
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
IL 176
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto Barrington Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Barrington Road
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on IL 59
7.8 mi
·
12 min
·
IL 59
Use the right lane.
12
Turn slight right
284 ft
·
4 sec
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on IL 59
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
New Sutton Road
Use the left lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 90 West Toll: Rockford
15
Merge onto I 90
42 mi
·
44 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington
17
Merge onto I 39; US 51
0.5 mi
·
30 sec
·
I 39; US 51
18
Continue on I 39; US 20; US 51
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 39; US 20; US 51
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward IL 2: Rockford, Dixon
21
Keep slight left at fork
172 ft
·
6 sec
22
Turn left onto IL 2
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
23
Turn right onto IL 2
9.1 mi
·
13 min
·
South Main Road
24
Continue on IL 2
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Blackhawk Drive
25
Turn right onto IL 72
16 mi
·
23 min
·
IL 72
26
Turn right onto IL 72
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South Walnut Avenue
27
Turn left onto IL 72
10 mi
·
14 min
·
IL 72
28
Turn left onto IL 73
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
IL 73
29
Turn right onto West Locust Street
173 ft
·
9 sec
·
West Locust Street
30
Turn right
69 ft
·
5 sec
31
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 65.8 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.6 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 29 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.8 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lanark, 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 131.7 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for about 41.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.8 mi from Waukegan, IL · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 65.8 miles from Waukegan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lanark, IL
The final approach into Lanark, 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 Lanark, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.59 one way
$41.18 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.61 | $45.21 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.34 | $50.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.08 | $58.16 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.91
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(41.6 mi)
$2.91
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
$21
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.83 | $6.32 |
| Efficient EV | 32.9 | 0 | $11.52 | $5.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.7 | 0 | $18.44 | $8.43 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Lanark, IL
Evening in Lanark on Wednesday
Local time
6:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°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
5 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 2m 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 Lanark, IL covers 131.7 miles and takes about 3h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, IL 72, South Main Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 65.8 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 $20.59 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 19 significant decision points across 131.7 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 9.9 miles (South Atkinson Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.4 miles (IL 176): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.7 miles (Barrington Road): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Waukegan, IL to Lanark, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Dixon along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Lanark, IL
More trips to Lanark, IL
Explore more options from Waukegan, IL or browse trips ending in Lanark, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Waukegan, IL or Lanark, IL on MapSof.net.