How far is Evanston, IL from Channel Lake, IL?

The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Channel Lake, IL is about 45.1 miles (72.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37.9 miles (61 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
45.12 mi
01h 03m
Flight
37.92 mi
61.02 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Evanston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
37.92 mi
Kilometers
61.02 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
45.12 mi
Kilometers
72.61 km
Drive Time
01h 03m

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 01h 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Channel Lake
Sun, Apr 19, 6:25 PM CDT
Return by in Evanston
Sun, Apr 19, 7:28 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Evanston
2026-04-19T17:22
Arrive Channel Lake
Sun, Apr 19, 6:25 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:03 AM to 11:03 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:24 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Evanston
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Green Oaks
IL

City in Illinois, United States of America

From Evanston
22.6 mi
00h 31m
To Channel Lake
22.6 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW
Destination
48°F
Sunday

Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Channel Lake.

  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 · 11 sec · Dempster Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Asbury Avenue

    1.4 km · 2 min · Asbury Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Green Bay Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Green Bay Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Central Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Central Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Crawford Avenue

    3078 ft · 1 min · Crawford Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Wilmette Avenue

    27 m · 2 sec · Wilmette Avenue

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Glenview Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Glenview Road

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Skokie Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Skokie Boulevard

  11. 11

    Take the ramp straight toward I 94 West

    1251 ft · 31 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Edens Expressway

    4 mi · 5 min · Edens Expressway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Skokie Valley Road

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road

  15. 15

    Continue on South Skokie Highway

    17.7 mi · 22 min · South Skokie Highway

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Rosecrans Road

    10.1 mi · 15 min · Rosecrans Road

  17. 17

    Turn right

    23 m · 6 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
39.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Skokie Highway
17.7 mi · 39%
Rosecrans Road
10.1 mi · 22%
Edens Expressway
3.97 mi · 9%
Skokie Highway
3.84 mi · 9%
Skokie Valley Road
3.38 mi · 7%
Central Street
1.47 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

South Skokie Highway

Continue on South Skokie Highway

17.7 mi · 00h 22m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.2 mi
37.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Green Oaks
00h 31m from Evanston
Leave By
4:24 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Evanston and Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Channel Lake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Channel Lake?

The road trip is about 45.1 miles (72.6 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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?

Green Oaks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.6 miles from Evanston and 22.6 miles from Channel Lake.

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

The direct path is about 37.9 miles (61 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:24 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.00 one way or $11.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Evanston and Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Channel Lake.

Stop Ideas Near Green Oaks

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Green Oaks, 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 Green Oaks.

RAIL

Glenview station

25 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Sturtevant station

48 mi away
9900 East Exploration Court
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

51 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

53 mi away
25 West Burlington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Channel Lake. Straight-line distance: 37.92 mi (61.02 km).

Evanston

#1 Evanston

A city in Cook County, Illinois.

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

#2 Channel Lake

City in Illinois, United States of America

Population1,664
Coordinates42.4786300, -88.1375900
Altitude227
CountryUnited States
Start: Evanston (-87.69006, 42.04114)
End: Channel Lake (-88.13759, 42.47863)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 73 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.59 gal
6.03 L · about $6.00
Round trip
$11.99
3.18 gal · 12.06 L
Estimated CO2
14.1 kg one way
Round trip: 28.3 kg / 62 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.00 $11.99
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.76 $13.52
Premium $4.65 $7.40 $14.80
Diesel $5.30 $8.43 $16.87

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Evanston and Channel Lake. The current time is 17:22:12.

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.