How far is Evanston, IL from Bethany, IL?

The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Bethany, IL is about 207.9 miles (334.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 174.4 miles (280.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
207.94 mi
04h 12m
Flight
174.34 mi
280.58 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Evanston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
174.34 mi
Kilometers
280.58 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
207.94 mi
Kilometers
334.64 km
Drive Time
04h 12m

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 04h 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bethany
Fri, Apr 17, 2:06 PM CDT
Return by in Evanston
Fri, Apr 17, 6:19 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Evanston
2026-04-17T09:54
Arrive Bethany
Fri, Apr 17, 2:06 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:13 AM to 12:13 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:34 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Evanston
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Onarga
IL

Village in Iroquois County, Illinois, United States of America

From Evanston
104 mi
02h 06m
To Bethany
104 mi
02h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Friday

Areas Of Fog then Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 20 mph SSE
Destination
83°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 16 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Evanston and Bethany.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Bethany.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    60 m · 22 sec

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left

    43 m · 16 sec

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Dempster Street

    65 m · 15 sec · Dempster Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Asbury Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on North Western Avenue

    5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Clybourn Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn right onto North Damen Avenue

    1.2 km · 2 min · North Damen Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto West Webster Avenue

    42 m · 3 sec · West Webster Avenue

  9. 9

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 East, I 94 East

    1008 ft · 27 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Kennedy Expressway

    3.6 mi · 5 min · Kennedy Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

    123.2 mi · 2 hr 17 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 72 West: Decatur

    2596 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    36.6 mi · 39 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 48: Oreana, Decatur

    2140 ft · 39 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left

    5.3 mi · 8 min

  18. 18

    Turn left

    3.1 mi · 5 min

  19. 19

    Continue on South Mount Zion Road

    2.1 mi · 3 min · South Mount Zion Road

  20. 20

    Continue on North State Route 121

    12.8 mi · 18 min · North State Route 121

  21. 21

    Turn right onto North Washington Street

    1704 ft · 1 min · North Washington Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    42 m · 11 sec · West Main Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto North Lincoln Street

    17 m · 4 sec · North Lincoln Street

  24. 24

    Turn right

    31 m · 7 sec

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and Bethany.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
25 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
123 mi · 59%
I 72 West
37 mi · 18%
North State Route 121
12.8 mi · 6%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.83 mi · 4%
North Western Avenue
5.53 mi · 3%
Kennedy Expressway
3.57 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

123 mi · 02h 17m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 12m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33.5 mi
174.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Onarga
02h 06m from Evanston
Leave By
8:34 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Areas Of Fog then Partly Sunny leaving Evanston and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bethany.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Bethany?

The road trip is about 207.9 miles (334.6 km) and usually takes 04h 12m 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?

Onarga is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104 miles from Evanston and 104 miles from Bethany.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 174.4 miles (280.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:34 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.68 one way or $55.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog then Partly Sunny around Evanston and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bethany.

Stop Ideas Near Onarga

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Onarga, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Onarga.

RAIL

Gilman

5 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Kankakee

46 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Rantoul

47 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
RAIL

Dwight station

55 mi away
119 West Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Bethany. Straight-line distance: 174.34 mi (280.58 km).

Evanston

#1 Evanston

A city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population72,683
Coordinates42.0411400, -87.6900600
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Bethany

Village in Illinois, United States

Population1,210
Coordinates39.6455900, -88.7381300
Altitude198
CountryUnited States
Start: Evanston (-87.69006, 42.04114)
End: Bethany (-88.73813, 39.64559)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 335 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.34 gal
27.78 L · about $27.68
Round trip
$55.36
14.68 gal · 55.56 L
Estimated CO2
65.2 kg one way
Round trip: 130.5 kg / 288 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.68 $55.36
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.22 $62.43
Premium $4.65 $34.16 $68.32
Diesel $5.30 $38.93 $77.86

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Evanston and Bethany. The current time is 09:54:04.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.