How far is Evanston, IL from Colfax, IL?
The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Colfax, IL is about 132 miles (212.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 112.7 miles (181.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 57m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Will County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Evanston and Colfax.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Colfax.
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1
Start on the route
60 m ยท 22 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left
43 m ยท 16 sec
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Dempster Street
65 m ยท 15 sec ยท Dempster Street
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4
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi ยท 2 min ยท Asbury Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4 mi ยท 7 min ยท Oakton Street
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6
Turn slight left onto Gross Point Road
2627 ft ยท 52 sec ยท Gross Point Road
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7
Turn straight onto New Gross Point Road
531 ft ยท 15 sec ยท New Gross Point Road
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8
Turn right onto Howard Street
1222 ft ยท 35 sec ยท Howard Street
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9
Turn left onto North Lehigh Avenue
37 m ยท 2 sec ยท North Lehigh Avenue
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10
Turn right onto West Gross Point Road
1.4 km ยท 2 min ยท West Gross Point Road
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11
Turn slight right onto West Touhy Avenue
4 mi ยท 8 min ยท West Touhy Avenue
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12
Turn left onto South Des Plaines River Road
56 m ยท 4 sec ยท South Des Plaines River Road
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13
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana
2265 ft ยท 55 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
11.5 mi ยท 15 min ยท Tri-State Tollway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi ยท 6 min ยท Tri-State Tollway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi ยท 1 min ยท Tri-State Tollway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km ยท 1 min
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft ยท 56 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
75.8 mi ยท 1 hr 27 min ยท Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward IL 23: Pontiac, Streator
1740 ft ยท 30 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on IL 23: Pontiac, Streator
34 m ยท 3 sec
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22
Turn left onto North 1500 East Road
2.4 mi ยท 4 min ยท North 1500 East Road
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23
Turn right onto Old Route 66
2126 ft ยท 42 sec ยท Old Route 66
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24
Continue straight
2696 ft ยท 58 sec
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25
Turn left onto West Reynolds Street
1.2 km ยท 1 min ยท West Reynolds Street
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26
Turn right onto South Mill Street
2641 ft ยท 58 sec ยท South Mill Street
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27
Turn left onto West Torrance Avenue
1644 ft ยท 34 sec ยท West Torrance Avenue
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28
Turn right onto South Manlove Street
1352 ft ยท 27 sec ยท South Manlove Street
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29
Continue on North 1600 East Road
7.3 mi ยท 10 min ยท North 1600 East Road
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30
Continue on North 3360 East Road
6.1 mi ยท 11 min ยท North 3360 East Road
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31
Continue on East 2600 North Road
1332 ft ยท 27 sec ยท East 2600 North Road
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32
Continue on North 3400 East Road
6.7 mi ยท 12 min ยท North 3400 East Road
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33
Continue on North Harrison Street
2290 ft ยท 1 min ยท North Harrison Street
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34
Turn right onto East Main Street
999 ft ยท 44 sec ยท East Main Street
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m ยท 1 sec ยท West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and Colfax.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
75.8 mi ยท 01h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Evanston and Sunny near Colfax.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Colfax?
The road trip is about 132 miles (212.5 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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?
Wilmington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.1 miles from Evanston and 66 miles from Colfax.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 112.7 miles (181.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.3 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:36 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.06 one way or $42.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Evanston and Sunny near Colfax.
Stop Ideas Near Wilmington
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 Wilmington.
Joliet Transportation Center
Kankakee
Dwight station
Homewood
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Colfax. Straight-line distance: 112.63 mi (181.26 km).
#1 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Colfax
Village in McLean County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,009 |
| Coordinates | 40.5669800, -88.6164500 |
| Altitude | 230 |
| Country | United States |
End: Colfax (-88.61645, 40.56698)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 213 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.52 | $21.06 | $42.12 |
| Mid-grade | $5.15 | $23.98 | $47.96 |
| Premium | $5.71 | $26.59 | $53.17 |
| Diesel | $6.53 | $30.45 | $60.90 |
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 ยท Nov 08, 2026