How far is Elsah, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Elsah, IL to Evanston, IL is about 307.3 miles (494.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 255.1 miles (410.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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 16m.
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.
Township in McLean County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elsah and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elsah and Evanston.
-
1
Start on Mill Street
2003 ft · 55 sec · Mill Street
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2
Continue on Elsah Road
2.8 mi · 7 min · Elsah Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn right
3.1 mi · 6 min
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4
Turn left onto McClusky Road
8.2 mi · 15 min · McClusky Road
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto South State Street
14.5 mi · 17 min · South State Street
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6
Continue on United States Route 67
8.1 mi · 9 min · United States Route 67
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7
Continue on South Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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8
Continue on South State Avenue
2.4 mi · 3 min · South State Avenue
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9
Continue on South State Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · South State Street
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10
Continue on 1440 E
2.3 mi · 3 min · 1440 E
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11
Continue on Main Street
11.9 mi · 13 min · Main Street
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 72 East: Quincy
3068 ft · 1 min
-
13
Merge slight left
50.5 mi · 55 min
-
14
Continue straight
20.5 mi · 22 min
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
120.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
23
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue East
1749 ft · 43 sec
-
24
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3 mi · 6 min · East Touhy Avenue
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25
Turn left onto North Harlem Avenue
2643 ft · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue
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26
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street
-
27
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
531 ft · 11 sec · New Gross Point Road
-
28
Continue on Gross Point Road
2627 ft · 55 sec · Gross Point Road
-
29
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4 mi · 8 min · Oakton Street
-
30
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
-
31
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
-
32
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elsah and Evanston.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 55 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
121 mi · 02h 14m
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 Elsah 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 Elsah to Evanston?
The road trip is about 307.3 miles (494.6 km) and usually takes 05h 16m 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?
Funks Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.2 miles from Elsah and 153.1 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 255.1 miles (410.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.2 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:26 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $49.94 one way or $99.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Elsah and Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Funks Grove
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
City Hall - Town of Normal
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Funks Grove.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elsah and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 255.13 mi (410.6 km).
#1 Elsah
Township in Jersey County, Illinois
| Population | 604 |
| Coordinates | 38.9561600, -90.3598400 |
| Altitude | 132 |
| 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: 495 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.61 | $49.94 | $99.88 |
| Mid-grade | $5.24 | $56.80 | $113.60 |
| Premium | $5.79 | $62.81 | $125.61 |
| Diesel | $6.59 | $71.46 | $142.91 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026