How far is Carbon Cliff, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Carbon Cliff, IL to Evanston, IL is about 167.6 miles (269.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144.2 miles (232.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 49m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Ogle County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carbon Cliff and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carbon Cliff and Evanston.
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1
Start on South 2nd Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · South 2nd Avenue
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2
Take the ramp slight left
116 m · 11 sec
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3
Turn slight left
3.2 mi · 5 min
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4
Continue straight
1.2 km · 55 sec
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5
Keep slight left
1799 ft · 24 sec
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6
Continue straight
43.8 mi · 47 min
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7
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
91 mi · 1 hr 41 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
9.9 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue East
1749 ft · 43 sec
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15
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3 mi · 6 min · East Touhy Avenue
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16
Turn left onto North Harlem Avenue
2643 ft · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue
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17
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street
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18
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
531 ft · 11 sec · New Gross Point Road
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19
Continue on Gross Point Road
2627 ft · 55 sec · Gross Point Road
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20
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4 mi · 8 min · Oakton Street
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21
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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22
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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23
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carbon Cliff and Evanston.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
91 mi · 01h 41m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Carbon Cliff and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carbon Cliff to Evanston?
The road trip is about 167.6 miles (269.7 km) and usually takes 02h 49m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rochelle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.6 miles from Carbon Cliff and 83.9 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144.2 miles (232.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:52 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.29 one way or $44.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carbon Cliff and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Rochelle
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 Rochelle.
Rockford, Illinois
Mendota station
Plano
South Beloit, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carbon Cliff and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 144.2 mi (232.06 km).
#1 Carbon Cliff
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,932 |
| Coordinates | 41.4947600, -90.3906800 |
| Altitude | 184 |
| 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: 270 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.29 | $44.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.14 | $50.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.51 | $55.01 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.35 | $62.69 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.