Drive Time
2h 28m
Distance
111.6 mi
180 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
The drive from Waukegan, IL to Rock Grove, IL covers 111.6 miles and takes about 2h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Grand Avenue, US 41 North, Skokie Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.95 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
55.8 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Expect a 2h 28m drive with frequent turns across 111.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Waukegan, IL to Rock Grove, IL is easy. At 2h 28m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Waukegan, IL to Rock Grove, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 41 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Skokie Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Rosecrans Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Kenosha Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Kenosha Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 43 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Rock Grove, IL.
Start on North Jackson Street
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
Take the ramp right toward US 41 North: Milwaukee
Keep slight left to continue on US 41 North
Merge slight left onto Skokie Highway
Turn left onto Rosecrans Road
Continue on Kenosha Road
Continue on Kenosha Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Take the exit straight
Take the exit slight right toward I 43, CTH NN: Beloit, Milwaukee
Keep slight left to continue on I 43: Milwaukee, Beloit
Keep slight left
Keep slight right to continue on I 43 South: Delavan, Beloit
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward US 51 north, IL 75: South Beloit
Turn right onto Gardner Street
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
Turn right onto Prairie Hill Road
Turn left
Turn right onto North Blackhawk Boulevard
Continue on Freeport Road
Continue on HWY 75
Continue on East South Street
Turn right onto North Davis Road
Continue on West Street
Continue on North Davis Road
Turn left onto East Rock Grove Road
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.8 miles or 1h 14m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rock Grove, 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 111.6 miles and 2h 28m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55.8 mi from Waukegan, IL · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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 55.8 miles from Waukegan, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Rock Grove, 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 Rock Grove, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$16.95 one way
$33.90 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $18.69 | $37.37 |
| premium | $4.80 | $21.07 | $42.14 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.79 | $49.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.5 | 0 | $11.72 | $5.36 |
| Efficient EV | 27.9 | 0 | $9.76 | $4.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.6 | 0 | $15.62 | $7.14 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Waukegan on Saturday
Local time
8:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Rock Grove on Saturday
Local time
8:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
44°F
Elgin, IL
56 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
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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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