How far is Elgin, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Evanston, IL is about 37 miles (59.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.3 miles (48.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 44m 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 52m.
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.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elgin and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and Evanston.
-
1
Start on East Chicago Street
10 m · 8 sec · East Chicago Street
-
2
Turn left onto Center Street
846 ft · 24 sec · Center Street
-
3
Continue on Dundee Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Dundee Avenue
-
4
Turn right onto Page Avenue
612 ft · 18 sec · Page Avenue
-
5
Turn straight onto North Liberty Street
905 ft · 20 sec · North Liberty Street
-
6
Continue on Dundee Avenue
2862 ft · 50 sec · Dundee Avenue
-
7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 Toll West, I 90 Toll East: Rockford, Chicago
765 ft · 19 sec
-
8
Continue on I 90 West, I 90 East: Rockford, Chicago
148 m · 12 sec
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 Toll East: Chicago
2012 ft · 49 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
16.6 mi · 18 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward Elmhurst Road
2200 ft · 42 sec
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Elmhurst Road North
88 m · 9 sec
-
13
Turn straight onto South Elmhurst Road
1889 ft · 42 sec · South Elmhurst Road
-
14
Turn right onto West Oakton Street
645 ft · 13 sec · West Oakton Street
-
15
Continue on West Oakton Street
1.4 km · 2 min · West Oakton Street
-
16
Continue on East Oakton Street
6.1 mi · 13 min · East Oakton Street
-
17
Continue on Oakton Street
5.8 mi · 11 min · Oakton Street
-
18
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
-
19
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
-
20
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin 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.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
16.6 mi · 00h 18m
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 Elgin 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 Elgin to Evanston?
The road trip is about 37 miles (59.5 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Elk Grove Village is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17 miles from Elgin and 19.9 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.3 miles (48.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.7 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 4:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.94 one way or $9.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Elgin and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Elk Grove Village
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 Elk Grove Village.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Summit
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 30.34 mi (48.82 km).
#1 Elgin
The second most populous city in Kane County, Illinois.
| Population | 110,196 |
| Coordinates | 42.0372500, -88.2811900 |
| Altitude | 227 |
| 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: 60 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.94 | $9.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.57 | $11.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.10 | $12.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.95 | $13.90 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.