How far is Dayton, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Dayton, IL to Evanston, IL is about 166.4 miles (267.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 140.9 miles (226.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 34m 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 47m.
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 Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dayton and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dayton and Evanston.
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1
Start on Dayton Corner B Street
35 m · 9 sec · Dayton Corner B Street
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2
Turn left onto Cleveland Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Cleveland Road
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3
Take the ramp slight right
1879 ft · 46 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
135 mi · 2 hr 29 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
9.9 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue East
1749 ft · 43 sec
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13
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3 mi · 6 min · East Touhy Avenue
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14
Turn left onto North Harlem Avenue
2643 ft · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue
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15
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street
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16
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
531 ft · 11 sec · New Gross Point Road
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17
Continue on Gross Point Road
2627 ft · 55 sec · Gross Point Road
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18
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4 mi · 8 min · Oakton Street
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19
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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21
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dayton 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 88 East
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
135 mi · 02h 29m
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.
Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Dayton and Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dayton to Evanston?
The road trip is about 166.4 miles (267.8 km) and usually takes 02h 47m 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?
Creston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83 miles from Dayton and 83.4 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140.9 miles (226.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.5 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 12:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.14 one way or $44.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny around Dayton and Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Creston
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 Creston.
Rockford, Illinois
Mendota station
Plano
South Beloit, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dayton and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 140.86 mi (226.7 km).
#1 Dayton
Census-designated place in Illinois, USA
| Population | 2,258 |
| Coordinates | 41.4892000, -90.3215100 |
| 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: 268 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.14 | $44.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.97 | $49.93 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.32 | $54.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.13 | $62.27 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.