How far is Bourbon, IL from Evanston, IL?

The driving distance from Bourbon, IL to Evanston, IL is about 179.9 miles (289.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 162.6 miles (261.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
179.89 mi
03h 18m
Flight
162.64 mi
261.74 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bourbon.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
162.64 mi
Kilometers
261.74 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
179.89 mi
Kilometers
289.5 km
Drive Time
03h 18m

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 03h 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Evanston
Wed, Apr 15, 5:10 AM CDT
Return by in Bourbon
Wed, Apr 15, 8:28 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bourbon
2026-04-15T01:51
Arrive Evanston
Wed, Apr 15, 5:10 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:19 AM to 11:19 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:22 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bourbon
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Ashkum
IL

Township in Iroquois County, Illinois

From Bourbon
89.7 mi
01h 39m
To Evanston
90.2 mi
01h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 21 mph SW
Destination
72°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bourbon and Evanston.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bourbon and Evanston.

  1. 1

    Start on County Road 490E

    42 m · 11 sec · County Road 490E

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North County Road 490 East

    137 m · 20 sec · North County Road 490 East

  3. 3

    Continue on North County Road 475 East

    1278 ft · 56 sec · North County Road 475 East

  4. 4

    Continue on County Highway 16

    1.1 mi · 4 min · County Highway 16

  5. 5

    Turn left onto North County Road 540 East

    2707 ft · 2 min · North County Road 540 East

  6. 6

    Continue on North County Road 560 East

    116 m · 17 sec · North County Road 560 East

  7. 7

    Continue on North County Road 590 East

    1.6 mi · 6 min · North County Road 590 East

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn right onto County Road 950 N

    3.9 mi · 6 min · County Road 950 N

  9. 9

    Continue on East Southline Road

    2669 ft · 1 min · East Southline Road

  10. 10

    Continue on County Road 950 North

    1.2 km · 1 min · County Road 950 North

  11. 11

    Take the ramp slight left toward I-57 North: Champaign

    2743 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    146.5 mi · 2 hr 42 min

  13. 13

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  14. 14

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

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  15. 15

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    3.7 mi · 6 min · Kennedy Expressway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue

    875 ft · 24 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto North Damen Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · North Damen Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn slight left onto North Clybourn Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto North Western Avenue

    5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue

  20. 20

    Continue on Asbury Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Dempster Street

    65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street

  22. 22

    Turn uturn

    65 m · 18 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bourbon and Evanston.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-57 North
147 mi · 82%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 4%
North Western Avenue
5.53 mi · 3%
County Road 950 N
3.85 mi · 2%
Kennedy Expressway
3.69 mi · 2%
Dan Ryan Expressway
3.33 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I-57 North

Merge slight left

147 mi · 02h 42m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 18m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.3 mi
162.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ashkum
01h 39m from Bourbon
Leave By
10:22 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Bourbon and Chance 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 Bourbon to Evanston?

The road trip is about 179.9 miles (289.5 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?

Ashkum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.7 miles from Bourbon and 90.2 miles from Evanston.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 162.6 miles (261.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.3 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 10:22 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.95 one way or $47.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Bourbon and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Evanston.

Stop Ideas Near Ashkum

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Ashkum, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ashkum.

RAIL

Gilman

14 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Kankakee

28 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Dwight station

46 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

57 mi away
721 West Washington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bourbon and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 162.64 mi (261.74 km).

Bourbon

#1 Bourbon

Township in Douglas County, Illinois

Population4,061
Coordinates39.7455900, -88.3789400
Altitude201
CountryUnited States
Evanston

#2 Evanston

A city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population72,683
Coordinates42.0411400, -87.6900600
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Start: County Road 490E (-88.378948, 39.745428)
End: (-87.689971, 42.041051)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 290 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.35 gal
24.03 L · about $23.95
Round trip
$47.89
12.7 gal · 48.06 L
Estimated CO2
56.4 kg one way
Round trip: 112.9 kg / 249 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.95 $47.89
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.01 $54.01
Premium $4.65 $29.55 $59.11
Diesel $5.30 $33.68 $67.36

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 · Apr 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Bourbon and Evanston. The current time is 01:51:50.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.