How far is Evanston, IL from Benton, IL?
The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Benton, IL is about 311.5 miles (501.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 286.9 miles (461.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 48m 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 54m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Evanston and Benton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Benton.
-
1
Start on the route
60 m · 22 sec
-
2
At the end of the road, turn left
43 m · 16 sec
-
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Dempster Street
65 m · 15 sec · Dempster Street
-
4
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue
-
5
Continue on North Western Avenue
5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue
-
6
Turn left onto North Clybourn Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue
-
7
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · North Damen Avenue
-
8
Turn left onto West Webster Avenue
42 m · 3 sec · West Webster Avenue
-
9
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 East, I 94 East
1008 ft · 27 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Kennedy Expressway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Kennedy Expressway
-
11
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
200.8 mi · 3 hr 41 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
65.7 mi · 1 hr 11 min
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
20 mi · 22 min · Ken Gray Expressway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 14: Christopher, Benton
1972 ft · 50 sec
-
17
Turn left onto West Main Street
1.4 km · 1 min · West Main Street
-
18
Enter the roundabout toward Public Square
106 m · 6 sec · Public Square
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Public Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and Benton.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 South
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
201 mi · 03h 41m
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.
Rain leaving Evanston and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Benton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Benton?
The road trip is about 311.5 miles (501.3 km) and usually takes 05h 54m 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?
Tolono is a useful midpoint, sitting about 155.9 miles from Evanston and 155.7 miles from Benton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 286.9 miles (461.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.6 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 5:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $51.27 one way or $102.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain around Evanston and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Benton.
Stop Ideas Near Tolono
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 Tolono.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Mattoon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Benton. Straight-line distance: 286.91 mi (461.74 km).
#1 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Benton
City in Illinois
| Population | 6,784 |
| Coordinates | 37.9967200, -88.9200700 |
| Altitude | 144 |
| Country | United States |
End: Benton (-88.92007, 37.99672)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 501 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $51.27 | $102.54 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $58.16 | $116.32 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $64.15 | $128.30 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $72.22 | $144.43 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026