How far is Carthage, IL from Evanston, IL?

The driving distance from Carthage, IL to Evanston, IL is about 101.9 miles (164 km), with a travel time of about 01h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 83.8 miles (134.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
101.89 mi
01h 56m
Flight
83.82 mi
134.89 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Carthage.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
83.82 mi
Kilometers
134.89 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
101.89 mi
Kilometers
163.97 km
Drive Time
01h 56m

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 01h 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Evanston
Fri, Nov 6, 9:31 PM CST
Return by in Carthage
Fri, Nov 6, 11:27 PM CST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Carthage
2026-11-06T19:34
Arrive Evanston
Fri, Nov 6, 9:31 PM CST
Route Timing
01h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:56 AM to 11:56 AM CST

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:38 PM CST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Carthage
9:30 PM CST
Morning start is best

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
Willow Creek
IL

Township in Lee County, Illinois

From Carthage
51.4 mi
00h 58m
To Evanston
50.5 mi
00h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
35°F
Overnight

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 12:00 AM CST
Wind
10 mph N
Destination
48°F
Today

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 7:00 AM CST
Wind
10 to 15 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Flagg Road

    5.4 mi · 13 min · East Flagg Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Chana Road

    1.8 mi · 4 min · South Chana Road

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Lincoln Avenue

    7.9 mi · 13 min · Lincoln Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 8th Street

    122 m · 9 sec · 8th Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto 4th Avenue

    81 m · 5 sec · 4th Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right

    1.7 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

    Turn left

    2198 ft · 54 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

    58.3 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

    4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford

    3128 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee

    1156 ft · 28 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    9.9 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue

    635 ft · 16 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue

    2694 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue East

    1749 ft · 43 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

    3 mi · 6 min · East Touhy Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left onto North Harlem Avenue

    2643 ft · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto West Howard Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto New Gross Point Road

    531 ft · 11 sec · New Gross Point Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Gross Point Road

    2627 ft · 55 sec · Gross Point Road

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Oakton Street

    4 mi · 8 min · Oakton Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Asbury Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Dempster Street

    65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street

  24. 24

    Turn uturn

    65 m · 18 sec

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
25 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
63.1 mi · 62%
Tri-State Tollway
9.94 mi · 10%
Lincoln Avenue
7.91 mi · 8%
East Flagg Road
5.39 mi · 5%
Oakton Street
3.96 mi · 4%
East Touhy Avenue
2.99 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

58.3 mi · 01h 06m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.1 mi
83.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Willow Creek
00h 58m from Carthage
Leave By
2:38 PM CST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Carthage and Mostly Cloudy near Evanston.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Carthage to Evanston?

The road trip is about 101.9 miles (164 km) and usually takes 01h 56m 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?

Willow Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.4 miles from Carthage and 50.5 miles from Evanston.

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

The direct path is about 83.8 miles (134.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.1 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:38 PM CST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.59 one way or $33.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Carthage and Mostly Cloudy near Evanston.

Stop Ideas Near Willow Creek

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Willow Creek, 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 Willow Creek.

RAIL

Plano

20 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

Naperville

27 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

47 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

50 mi away
25 West Burlington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Carthage and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 83.82 mi (134.89 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Carthage

Carthage is a place in Illinois, United States.

Population0
Coordinates41.9189200, -89.3137100
Altitude241
CountryUnited States
Evanston

#2 Evanston

A city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population72,683
Coordinates42.0411400, -87.6900600
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Start: East Flagg Road (-89.313663, 41.918835)
End: (-87.689971, 42.041051)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 164 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.6 gal
13.61 L · about $16.59
Round trip
$33.17
7.2 gal · 27.22 L
Estimated CO2
32 kg one way
Round trip: 64 kg / 141 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.61 $16.59 $33.17
Mid-grade $5.24 $18.86 $37.73
Premium $5.79 $20.86 $41.72
Diesel $6.59 $23.73 $47.46

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 · Nov 06, 2026

There is no time difference between Carthage and Evanston. The current time is 19:34:40.

Distance to Other Cities

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