How far is Buffalo Grove, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Buffalo Grove, IL to Evanston, IL is about 20.8 miles (33.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15.8 miles (25.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 35m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buffalo Grove and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo Grove and Evanston.
-
1
Start on Aptakisic Road
18 m · 5 sec · Aptakisic Road
-
2
Turn right onto South Buffalo Grove Road
822 ft · 20 sec · South Buffalo Grove Road
-
3
Turn right onto Lake Cook Road
709 ft · 14 sec · Lake Cook Road
-
4
Continue on East Lake Cook Road
8.2 mi · 14 min · East Lake Cook Road
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward US 41 South: Chicago
1701 ft · 42 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Skokie Highway
3083 ft · 38 sec · Skokie Highway
-
7
Continue on Edens Expressway
5.6 mi · 7 min · Edens Expressway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward Old Orchard Road
1796 ft · 46 sec
-
9
Turn left onto Old Orchard Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · Old Orchard Road
-
10
Turn left onto Gross Point Road
1027 ft · 23 sec · Gross Point Road
-
11
Turn right onto Central Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Central Street
-
12
Turn right onto Green Bay Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Green Bay Road
-
13
Turn right onto Asbury Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
-
14
Turn left onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
-
15
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
-
16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buffalo Grove and Evanston.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
East Lake Cook Road
Continue on East Lake Cook Road
8.19 mi · 00h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Buffalo Grove and Partly Sunny near Evanston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buffalo Grove to Evanston?
The road trip is about 20.8 miles (33.4 km) and usually takes 00h 35m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Glencoe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.1 miles from Buffalo Grove and 10.7 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 15.8 miles (25.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.75 one way or $5.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Buffalo Grove and Partly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Glencoe
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 Glencoe.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buffalo Grove and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 15.79 mi (25.41 km).
#1 Buffalo Grove
Village in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 41,496 |
| Coordinates | 42.1514100, -87.9597900 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| 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: 33 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.75 | $5.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.10 | $6.21 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.40 | $6.79 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.87 | $7.74 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.