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Trip from Waukegan, IL to Robinson, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh 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

8/10

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.

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 Glen Rock Avenue, Belvidere Street, South Lewis Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. 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 56m into the drive .

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 (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 5h 53m drive with frequent turns across 284.8 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Glen Rock Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 5h 53m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Waukegan, IL to Robinson, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Glen Rock Avenue
Belvidere Street
South Lewis Avenue
Buckley Road
North Skokie Highway
Skokie Valley Road
Skokie Highway
Edens Expressway

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: Glen Rock Avenue — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

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 · 34 sec · Belvidere Street
4

Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue

2.9 mi · 5 min · South Lewis Avenue
5

Turn right onto Buckley Road

1.1 mi · 1 min · Buckley Road
6

Turn left onto North Skokie Highway

5.6 mi · 6 min · North Skokie Highway
7

Continue on Skokie Valley Road

3.4 mi · 3 min · Skokie Valley Road
8

Continue on Skokie Highway

3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
9

Continue on Edens Expressway

14 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
10

Continue on Kennedy Expressway

8.1 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway
11

Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

2.4 mi · 2 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
12

Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

8.8 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
13

Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

169 mi · 3 hr 6 min · I 57 South: Memphis
14

Take the exit slight right toward IL 16 East: Charleston

0.3 mi · 47 sec · IL 16 East: Charleston
15

Turn straight onto Charleston Avenue East

0.7 mi · 1 min · Charleston Avenue East
16

Continue on Illinois Route 16

6.0 mi · 8 min · Illinois Route 16
17

Continue on West Lincoln Avenue

1.8 mi · 2 min · West Lincoln Avenue
18

Turn right onto 18th Street

1.6 mi · 2 min · 18th Street
19

Continue on Illinois Route 130

0.8 mi · 1 min · Illinois Route 130
20

Continue on Route 130

10.0 mi · 14 min · Route 130
21

Continue on County Road 1825 East

2.0 mi · 2 min · County Road 1825 East
22

Continue on County Road 1775 E

0.8 mi · 1 min · County Road 1775 E
23

Continue on North Haughton Highway

0.4 mi · 33 sec · North Haughton Highway
24

Continue on 1700E

1.3 mi · 1 min · 1700E
25

Continue on North Haughton Highway

4.0 mi · 5 min · North Haughton Highway
26

Continue on County Road 1700E

2.1 mi · 3 min · County Road 1700E
27

Continue on North 1250th Street

11 mi · 16 min · North 1250th Street
28

Turn left

285 ft · 15 sec
29

Turn left

509 ft · 19 sec
30

Turn straight onto North 1100th Avenue

12 mi · 17 min · North 1100th Avenue
31

Continue on East Main Street

0.5 mi · 45 sec · East Main Street
32

Continue on W Main St

0.6 mi · 57 sec · W Main St
33

Continue on East 1050th Avenue

6.9 mi · 10 min · East 1050th Avenue
34

Continue on West Main Street

1.6 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
35

Turn right onto Court Street

325 ft · 20 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 · 6 sec · Douglas Street
38

Arrive at your 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 142.4 miles from Waukegan, IL, or about 2h 56m into the drive.

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 18m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 142.4 miles or 2h 56m 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 49m

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.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 142.4 mi from Waukegan, IL · 2h 56m into the drive

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

Oak Park, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Joliet, 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.

Arriving in Robinson, IL

The final approach into Robinson, 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 Robinson, 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

$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 15, 2026

Origin

Waukegan, IL

Morning in Waukegan on Saturday

Local time

8:34 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Robinson, IL

Morning in Robinson on Saturday

Local time

8:34 AM

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

7 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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Waukegan, IL to Robinson, IL covers 284.8 miles and takes about 5h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Glen Rock Avenue, Belvidere Street, South Lewis Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 142.4 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 $44.53 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This is a straightforward 5h 53m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Waukegan, IL to Robinson, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

The route from Waukegan, IL to Robinson, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Robinson, IL to Waukegan, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

284.9 mi 5h 54m

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