How far is Centralia, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Centralia, IL to Evanston, IL is about 283 miles (455.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 254.6 miles (409.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 31m 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 45m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Illinois, United States of America
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 Centralia and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centralia and Evanston.
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1
Start on South Poplar Street
25 m · 8 sec · South Poplar Street
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2
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
133 m · 25 sec · East 3rd Street
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3
Turn left onto South Elm Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · South Elm Street
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4
Continue on South Broadway
1.4 km · 1 min · South Broadway
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5
Continue on County Road 180 East
4.3 mi · 6 min · County Road 180 East
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6
Continue on South Mine Street
3231 ft · 54 sec · South Mine Street
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7
Continue on N Mine St
990 ft · 13 sec · N Mine St
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8
Continue on North Mine Street
106 m · 5 sec · North Mine Street
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9
Take the exit slight right
41 m · 4 sec
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10
Turn right
7.8 mi · 9 min
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11
Turn left
2149 ft · 54 sec
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12
Merge slight left
46.6 mi · 50 min
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195.2 mi · 3 hr 34 min
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14
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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16
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
3.7 mi · 6 min · Kennedy Expressway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue
875 ft · 24 sec
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18
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Damen Avenue
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19
Turn slight left onto North Clybourn Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue
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20
Turn right onto North Western Avenue
5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue
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21
Continue on Asbury Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 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 Centralia 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 57 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195 mi · 03h 34m
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.
Sunny leaving Centralia 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 Centralia to Evanston?
The road trip is about 283 miles (455.4 km) and usually takes 04h 45m 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?
Thomasboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.6 miles from Centralia and 142.4 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 254.6 miles (409.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.67 one way or $75.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Centralia and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Thomasboro
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 Thomasboro.
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Danville, Illinois
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Centralia and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 254.56 mi (409.67 km).
#1 Centralia
Township in Marion County, Illinois
| Population | 12,142 |
| Coordinates | 38.5250500, -89.1334000 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| 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: 455 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.67 | $75.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.49 | $84.97 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.49 | $92.99 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $52.99 | $105.97 |
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.