How far is Benton, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Benton, IL to Evanston, IL is about 313.4 miles (504.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 286.9 miles (461.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 08m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Benton and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benton and Evanston.
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1
Start on Public Square
133 m · 10 sec · Public Square
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2
Exit the rotary onto West Main Street
3144 ft · 55 sec · West Main Street
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3
Take the ramp slight right
1685 ft · 41 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
24 mi · 26 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195.2 mi · 3 hr 34 min
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7
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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9
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
3.7 mi · 6 min · Kennedy Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue
875 ft · 24 sec
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11
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Damen Avenue
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12
Turn slight left onto North Clybourn Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue
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13
Turn right onto North Western Avenue
5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue
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14
Continue on Asbury Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue
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15
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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16
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Benton and Evanston.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195 mi · 03h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Benton and Showers And Thunderstorms near Evanston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Benton to Evanston?
The road trip is about 313.4 miles (504.3 km) and usually takes 05h 08m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Tolono is a useful midpoint, sitting about 155.7 miles from Benton and 157.7 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 286.9 miles (461.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $51.59 one way or $103.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 98.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Benton and Showers And Thunderstorms near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Tolono
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tolono.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Mattoon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Benton and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 286.91 mi (461.74 km).
#1 Benton
City in Illinois
| Population | 6,784 |
| Coordinates | 37.9967200, -88.9200700 |
| Altitude | 144 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.689971, 42.041051)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 504 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $51.59 | $103.19 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $58.53 | $117.06 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $64.56 | $129.11 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $72.68 | $145.35 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · Oct 15, 2026