How far is Evanston, IL from Chicago Heights, IL?

The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Chicago Heights, IL is about 43.2 miles (69.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 15m 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
43.17 mi
01h 07m
Flight
37.07 mi
59.66 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
37.07 mi
Kilometers
59.66 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
43.17 mi
Kilometers
69.48 km
Drive Time
01h 07m

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 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chicago Heights
Sun, Apr 19, 12:08 PM CDT
Return by in Evanston
Sun, Apr 19, 1:15 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Evanston
2026-04-19T11:00
Arrive Chicago Heights
Sun, Apr 19, 12:08 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:14 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
South Chicago
IL

Former township in Cook County, Illinois

From Evanston
21.6 mi
00h 33m
To Chicago Heights
21.6 mi
00h 33m

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
52°F
Sunday

Areas Of 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 Chicago Heights.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Chicago Heights.

  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 left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway

    10.8 mi · 15 min · Bishop Ford Freeway

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Calumet Expressway

    2410 ft · 49 sec · Calumet Expressway

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on Calumet Expressway

    5 mi · 7 min · Calumet Expressway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West: Lincoln Highway

    2415 ft · 59 sec

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto Lincoln Highway

    2.8 mi · 6 min · Lincoln Highway

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Halsted Street

Car Route Details

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

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
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
41.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Bishop Ford Freeway
10.8 mi · 25%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.83 mi · 20%
North Western Avenue
5.53 mi · 13%
Calumet Expressway
5.45 mi · 13%
Kennedy Expressway
3.57 mi · 8%
Lincoln Highway
2.8 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Bishop Ford Freeway

Keep slight left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway

10.8 mi · 00h 15m

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 07m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.1 mi
37.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
South Chicago
00h 33m from Evanston
Leave By
4:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Evanston and Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Chicago Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Chicago Heights?

The road trip is about 43.2 miles (69.5 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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?

South Chicago is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.6 miles from Evanston and 21.6 miles from Chicago Heights.

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

The direct path is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.1 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 4:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.73 one way or $11.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Evanston and Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Chicago Heights.

Stop Ideas Near South Chicago

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around South Chicago, 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 South Chicago.

RAIL

Hammond–Whiting station

6 mi away
1135 South Calumet Ave.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

17 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

Homewood

22 mi away
18015 Park Ave.
RAIL

Summit

22 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Chicago Heights. Straight-line distance: 37.07 mi (59.66 km).

Evanston

#1 Evanston

A city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population72,683
Coordinates42.0411400, -87.6900600
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Chicago Heights

#2 Chicago Heights

City in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Population28,990
Coordinates41.5061500, -87.6356000
Altitude201
CountryUnited States
Start: Evanston (-87.69006, 42.04114)
End: Chicago Heights (-87.6356, 41.50615)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 69 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.52 gal
5.77 L · about $5.73
Round trip
$11.46
3.04 gal · 11.54 L
Estimated CO2
13.5 kg one way
Round trip: 27 kg / 60 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $5.73 $11.46
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.46 $12.93
Premium $4.65 $7.07 $14.15
Diesel $5.30 $8.06 $16.12

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 Chicago Heights. The current time is 11:00:13.

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.