How far is Cary, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Cary, IL to Evanston, IL is about 38.5 miles (61.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.4 miles (49 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 56m 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 00h 58m.
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 Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cary and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary and Evanston.
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1
Start on the route
13 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn left onto North 1st Street
1164 ft · 56 sec · North 1st Street
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3
Turn left onto South Northwest Highway
1.9 mi · 3 min · South Northwest Highway
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4
Turn left onto State Route 22
4.9 mi · 8 min · State Route 22
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5
Continue on West Main Street
1933 ft · 49 sec · West Main Street
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6
Turn right onto Rand Road
4.4 mi · 5 min · Rand Road
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7
Continue on North Rand Road
4.5 mi · 7 min · North Rand Road
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8
Turn left onto Palatine Road
3.8 mi · 6 min · Palatine Road
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 45, IL 21: Milwaukee Avenue
104 m · 9 sec
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10
Turn straight onto East Palatine Road
3061 ft · 1 min · East Palatine Road
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11
Turn right onto Milwaukee Avenue
4.4 mi · 7 min · Milwaukee Avenue
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12
Continue on North Milwaukee Avenue
965 ft · 22 sec · North Milwaukee Avenue
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13
Turn left onto West Golf Road
6.7 mi · 13 min · West Golf Road
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14
Continue on Emerson Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Emerson Street
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15
Turn right onto Asbury Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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16
Turn left onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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17
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cary 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.
West Golf Road
Turn left onto West Golf Road
6.7 mi · 00h 13m
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 Cary 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 Cary to Evanston?
The road trip is about 38.5 miles (61.9 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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?
Prospect Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.9 miles from Cary and 21.6 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.4 miles (49 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.1 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.13 one way or $10.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cary and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Prospect Heights
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 Prospect Heights.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cary and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 30.47 mi (49.03 km).
#1 Cary
Village in Illinois, United States
| Population | 17,929 |
| Coordinates | 42.2119700, -88.2381400 |
| Altitude | 251 |
| 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: 62 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.13 | $10.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.78 | $11.57 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.33 | $12.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.21 | $14.43 |
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.