How far is Evanston, IL from Decatur, IL?
The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Decatur, IL is about 196.4 miles (316.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 165.8 miles (266.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 00m 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 03h 30m.
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.
Township in Iroquois County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Evanston and Decatur.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Decatur.
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1
Start on the route
60 m · 22 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left
43 m · 16 sec
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Dempster Street
65 m · 15 sec · Dempster Street
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4
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue
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5
Continue on North Western Avenue
5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue
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6
Turn left onto North Clybourn Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue
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7
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · North Damen Avenue
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8
Turn left onto West Webster Avenue
42 m · 3 sec · West Webster Avenue
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9
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 East, I 94 East
1008 ft · 27 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Kennedy Expressway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Kennedy Expressway
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11
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
123.2 mi · 2 hr 17 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 72 West: Decatur
2596 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left
36.6 mi · 39 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 48: Oreana, Decatur
2140 ft · 39 sec
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17
Turn left
5.1 mi · 8 min
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18
Turn right onto East Eldorado Street
1163 ft · 29 sec · East Eldorado Street
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19
Continue straight
1.4 mi · 2 min
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20
Turn left onto North Main Street
1985 ft · 49 sec · North Main Street
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21
Turn left onto East Wood Street
91 m · 8 sec · East Wood Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Wood Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and Decatur.
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
123 mi · 02h 17m
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.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving Evanston and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Decatur.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Decatur?
The road trip is about 196.4 miles (316.1 km) and usually takes 03h 30m 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?
Danforth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.8 miles from Evanston and 100.7 miles from Decatur.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 165.8 miles (266.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.6 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 10:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.13 one way or $52.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny around Evanston and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Decatur.
Stop Ideas Near Danforth
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 Danforth.
Gilman
Kankakee
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 165.77 mi (266.78 km).
#1 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Decatur
The most populous city in Macon County, Illinois.
| Population | 70,007 |
| Coordinates | 39.8403100, -88.9548000 |
| Altitude | 205 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Wood Street (-88.954801, 39.840341)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 316 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.13 | $52.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.47 | $58.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.25 | $64.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.76 | $73.51 |
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.