How far is DeKalb, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from DeKalb, IL to Evanston, IL is about 71.5 miles (115.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 55 miles (88.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 48m 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 01h 24m.
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.
The second most populous city in Illinois.
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 DeKalb and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between DeKalb and Evanston.
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1
Start on East Lincoln Highway
1.5 mi · 4 min · East Lincoln Highway
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2
Turn right onto Peace Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Peace Road
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3
Take the ramp left toward I 88 Toll East: Chicago
2237 ft · 55 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
40.4 mi · 47 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
9.9 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue East
1749 ft · 43 sec
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12
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3 mi · 6 min · East Touhy Avenue
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13
Turn left onto North Harlem Avenue
2643 ft · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue
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14
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street
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15
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
531 ft · 11 sec · New Gross Point Road
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16
Continue on Gross Point Road
2627 ft · 55 sec · Gross Point Road
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17
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4 mi · 8 min · Oakton Street
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18
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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20
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between DeKalb 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.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
40.4 mi · 00h 47m
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 DeKalb 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 DeKalb to Evanston?
The road trip is about 71.5 miles (115.1 km) and usually takes 01h 24m 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?
Naperville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.6 miles from DeKalb and 35.9 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 55 miles (88.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.5 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 3:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.50 one way or $19.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around DeKalb and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Naperville
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 Naperville.
Naperville
La Grange Road
Summit
Joliet Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between DeKalb and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 55 mi (88.51 km).
#1 DeKalb
The county seat of DeKalb County, Illinois.
| Population | 42,621 |
| Coordinates | 41.9294700, -88.7503600 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| 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: 115 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $9.50 | $19.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $10.72 | $21.44 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $11.73 | $23.46 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $13.37 | $26.73 |
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.