The drive from Yorkville, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 79.4 miles and takes about 1h 44m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Tri-State Tollway, IL 56, South Bridge Street for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.2 miles on Tri-State Tollway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.41 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.
Midpoint
39.7 miles from Yorkville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 79.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (35%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Yorkville, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 79.4 miles and takes about 1h 44m, 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 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 35.2 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 8.6 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.4 miles you will encounter 9 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 8.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
8.6 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward IL 56 East: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward IL 56 East: Chicago
6
33.7 mi into trip|~44m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
38.5 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 139
Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rock...
6
39.1 mi into trip|~51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International A...
7
74.5 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 11A
Toward IL 120 East: Belvidere Road
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Yorkville, IL and Waukegan, IL, road signs point toward Rockford and Milwaukee.
Rockford
38.5 mi in|~50m
Milwaukee
39.1 mi in|~51m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Tri-State Tollway
35.2 mi
43m
IL 56
24.8 mi
30m
South Bridge Street
5.7 mi
9m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi
5m
US 30
2.9 mi
3m
Belvidere Road
1.9 mi
2m
Belvidere Street
1.6 mi
3m
South Jackson Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 35.2 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yorkville, IL and Waukegan, IL.
1
Start on South Bridge Street
5.7 mi·9 min·South Bridge Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
2
Continue on US 30; IL 47
2.9 mi·3 min·US 30; IL 47
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward IL 56 East: ChicagoUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto IL 56
25 mi·30 min·IL 56
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
4.7 mi·5 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 139Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, RockfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
8
Merge onto I 294
35 mi·43 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 11AToward IL 120 East: Belvidere RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto IL 120
1.9 mi·2 min·Belvidere Road
11
Continue on IL 120
1.6 mi·3 min·Belvidere Street
12
Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Glen Rock Avenue
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Jackson Street
14
Arrive at destination
North Jackson Street
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.7 miles from Yorkville, IL, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.2 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.7 miles or 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waukegan, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Yorkville, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Yorkville, IL
This is one driving day of about 79.4 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Yorkville, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 35.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.7 mi from Yorkville, IL
· 52m into the drive
The midpoint is around 39.7 miles from Yorkville, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Waukegan, IL
The final approach into Waukegan, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 38.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.41 one way
$24.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.63
$27.26
premium
$4.89
$15.28
$30.56
diesel
$5.61
$17.53
$35.06
Estimated Tolls: $2.39
Tri-state Tollway
(35.2 mi)$2.11
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(4.7 mi)$0.28
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
$12
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.8
0
$8.34
$3.81
Efficient EV
19.9
0
$6.95
$3.18
EV Truck/SUV
31.8
0
$11.12
$5.08
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Yorkville, IL
Morning
in Yorkville on Saturday
Local time
6:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waukegan, IL
Morning
in Waukegan on Saturday
Local time
6:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°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
6 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
1h 44m 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 Yorkville, IL to Waukegan, IL covers 79.4 miles and takes about 1h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, IL 56, South Bridge Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.7 miles from Yorkville, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.4 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Yorkville, IL and Waukegan, IL, road signs point toward Rockford and Milwaukee.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
