How far is Brighton, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Brighton, IL to Evanston, IL is about 287.9 miles (463.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 244 miles (392.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 41m 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 04h 50m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in McLean County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Brighton and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brighton and Evanston.
-
1
Start on North Market Street
104 m · 12 sec · North Market Street
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Main Street
42 m · 6 sec · South Main Street
-
3
Continue on North Main Street
5.3 mi · 8 min · North Main Street
-
4
Turn right
10.2 mi · 15 min
-
5
Turn left
16.8 mi · 25 min
-
6
Continue on County Road 1200 N
115 m · 24 sec · County Road 1200 N
-
7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Springfield
2042 ft · 50 sec
-
8
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 1 hr 20 min
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
130.4 mi · 2 hr 27 min
-
11
Continue on Stevenson Expressway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Stevenson Expressway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
912 ft · 24 sec
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on Damen Avenue
1372 ft · 34 sec
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
134 m · 13 sec
-
15
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
2.4 mi · 5 min · South Damen Avenue
-
16
Turn right onto West Ogden Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · West Ogden Avenue
-
17
Turn left onto South Ashland Avenue
4.1 mi · 8 min · South Ashland Avenue
-
18
Turn slight left onto North Lincoln Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · North Lincoln Avenue
-
19
Turn left onto West Leland Avenue
119 m · 11 sec · West Leland Avenue
-
20
Turn right onto North Western Avenue
3.6 mi · 7 min · North Western Avenue
-
21
Continue on Asbury Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue
-
22
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
-
23
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
-
24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Brighton and Evanston.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 55 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
130 mi · 02h 27m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Brighton and Scattered 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 Brighton to Evanston?
The road trip is about 287.9 miles (463.3 km) and usually takes 04h 50m 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?
Normal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142.7 miles from Brighton and 145.2 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 244 miles (392.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.9 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 7:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.31 one way or $76.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Brighton and Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Normal
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Normal.
Uptown Station
Pontiac station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Brighton and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 244.02 mi (392.72 km).
#1 Brighton
Village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,967 |
| Coordinates | 39.0397700, -90.1406600 |
| Altitude | 202 |
| 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: 463 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.31 | $76.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.21 | $86.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.28 | $94.57 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.89 | $107.78 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.