How far is Evanston, IL from Centralia, IL?
The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Centralia, IL is about 280.6 miles (451.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 254.6 miles (409.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 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 24m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Evanston and Centralia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Centralia.
-
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
40.9 mi · 44 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
2330 ft · 57 sec
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on US 50: Salem, Sandoval
25 m · 2 sec
-
17
Turn right onto West Main Street
2.2 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
-
18
Continue on East Poplar Street
2.7 mi · 3 min · East Poplar Street
-
19
Continue on Poplar
2.7 mi · 3 min · Poplar
-
20
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Mine Street
135 m · 6 sec · North Mine Street
-
21
Continue on N Mine St
990 ft · 13 sec · N Mine St
-
22
Continue on North Mine Street
3231 ft · 54 sec · North Mine Street
-
23
Continue on County Road 180 E
4.4 mi · 6 min · County Road 180 E
-
24
Continue on North Commercial Street
2996 ft · 51 sec · North Commercial Street
-
25
Continue on North Poplar Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Poplar Street
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Poplar Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and Centralia.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Evanston and Sunny near Centralia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Centralia?
The road trip is about 280.6 miles (451.6 km) and usually takes 05h 24m 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?
Thomasboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.4 miles from Evanston and 140.2 miles from Centralia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 254.6 miles (409.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 26 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 6:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.33 one way or $74.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Evanston and Sunny near Centralia.
Stop Ideas Near Thomasboro
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 Thomasboro.
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Danville, Illinois
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Centralia. Straight-line distance: 254.56 mi (409.67 km).
#1 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Centralia
Township in Marion County, Illinois
| Population | 12,142 |
| Coordinates | 38.5250500, -89.1334000 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
End: Centralia (-89.1334, 38.52505)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 452 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.33 | $74.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.10 | $84.21 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.07 | $92.15 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $52.51 | $105.02 |
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.