How far is Cincinnati, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Cincinnati, IL to Evanston, IL is about 288.8 miles (464.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 255.2 miles (410.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 29m 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 05h 14m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cincinnati and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cincinnati and Evanston.
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1
Start on County Road 1000N
1 mi · 4 min · County Road 1000N
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2
Turn left onto 900E
2 mi · 5 min · 900E
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3
Turn left onto County Road 800 North
7 mi · 10 min · County Road 800 North
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4
Turn slight left
887 ft · 32 sec
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5
Turn straight onto County Road 1600E
3.8 mi · 6 min · County Road 1600E
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6
Continue on Washington Street
1 mi · 2 min · Washington Street
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7
Continue on County Road 1600E
4.6 mi · 7 min · County Road 1600E
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8
Continue on County Road 1800N
1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road 1800N
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9
Continue on Central Street
2051 ft · 35 sec · Central Street
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10
Continue on Central Street
2844 ft · 48 sec · Central Street
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11
Continue on County Road 1400E
14.3 mi · 20 min · County Road 1400E
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12
Turn right onto County Road 925 E
16.2 mi · 24 min · County Road 925 E
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13
Continue on United States Route 45
14.9 mi · 22 min · United States Route 45
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14
Turn right onto West Fayette Avenue
1123 ft · 33 sec · West Fayette Avenue
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15
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · South 3rd Street
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16
Take the ramp right toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute
2624 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left
1.3 km · 55 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195.2 mi · 3 hr 34 min
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19
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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21
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
3.7 mi · 6 min · Kennedy Expressway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue
875 ft · 24 sec
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23
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Damen Avenue
-
24
Turn slight left onto North Clybourn Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue
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25
Turn right onto North Western Avenue
5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue
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26
Continue on Asbury Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue
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27
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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28
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cincinnati 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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Cincinnati and Rain Showers near Evanston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cincinnati to Evanston?
The road trip is about 288.8 miles (464.8 km) and usually takes 05h 14m 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?
Champaign is a useful midpoint, sitting about 144.8 miles from Cincinnati and 144 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 255.2 miles (410.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.6 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 6:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.43 one way or $76.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Cincinnati and Rain Showers near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Champaign
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 Champaign.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Mattoon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cincinnati and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 255.22 mi (410.74 km).
#1 Cincinnati
Township in Tazewell County, Illinois
| Population | 8,830 |
| Coordinates | 38.4008800, -88.5119900 |
| Altitude | 128 |
| 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: 465 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.43 | $76.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.34 | $86.68 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.42 | $94.85 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $54.05 | $108.10 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.