How far is Evanston, IL from Effingham, IL?
The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Effingham, IL is about 222 miles (357.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 206.7 miles (332.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 34m 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 04h 17m.
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.
Human settlement in Iroquois County, 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 Effingham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Effingham.
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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
195.9 mi · 3 hr 35 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham
1753 ft · 35 sec
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15
Turn left
1.9 mi · 3 min
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16
Turn right onto East Fayette Avenue
705 ft · 18 sec · East Fayette Avenue
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17
Turn right onto South 5th Street
6 m · 1 sec · South 5th Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and Effingham.
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
196 mi · 03h 35m
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 Effingham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Effingham?
The road trip is about 222 miles (357.2 km) and usually takes 04h 17m 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?
Buckley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111 miles from Evanston and 110.9 miles from Effingham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 206.7 miles (332.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.53 one way or $59.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Evanston and Sunny near Effingham.
Stop Ideas Near Buckley
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 Buckley.
Gilman
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Effingham. Straight-line distance: 206.73 mi (332.7 km).
#1 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Effingham
City in Illinois
| Population | 12,601 |
| Coordinates | 39.1200400, -88.5433800 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| Country | United States |
End: Effingham (-88.54338, 39.12004)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 357 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.53 | $59.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.30 | $66.60 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.44 | $72.88 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.53 | $83.06 |
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.