Drive Time
6h 10m
Distance
297.7 mi
479 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
The drive from Waukegan, IL to Sumner, IL covers 297.7 miles and takes about 6h 10m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, Edens Expressway, North 1250th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 168.9 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.22 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
148.8 miles from Waukegan, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
This is a 6h 10m highway drive covering 297.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Edens Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 168.9 miles on I 57.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Edens Expressway. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near South Lewis Avenue.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 297.7 miles you will encounter 17 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 1.2 miles (South Lewis Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto South Lewis Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
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 IL 16 East: Charleston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 168.9 mi | 3h 6m |
| Edens Expressway | 13.7 mi | 17m |
| North 1250th Street | 13.3 mi | 19m |
| South Van Buren Street | 11 mi | 15m |
| US 50 | 10 mi | 13m |
| Route 130 | 10 mi | 14m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan, IL and Sumner, IL.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.8 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sumner, 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 297.7 miles and 6h 10m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 148.8 mi from Waukegan, IL · 2h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
149 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 148.8 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 168.9 miles.
The final approach into Sumner, 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 Sumner, 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
$45.22 one way
$90.44 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $49.85 | $99.69 |
| premium | $4.80 | $56.20 | $112.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $66.14 | $132.28 |
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: 104.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.3 | 1 | $31.26 | $14.29 |
| Efficient EV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.05 | $11.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 119.1 | 1 | $41.68 | $19.05 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Waukegan on Saturday
Local time
3:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Sumner on Saturday
Local time
3:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
47°F
Joliet, IL
149 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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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