How far is Evanston, IL from Frankfort, IL?
The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Frankfort, IL is about 320.2 miles (515.3 km), with a travel time of about 06h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 293.2 miles (471.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 04m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Champaign County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Evanston and Frankfort.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Frankfort.
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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
200.8 mi · 3 hr 41 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
65.7 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
27.1 mi · 29 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 149: West Frankfort, Zeigler
1422 ft · 35 sec
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward West Main Street
1001 ft · 17 sec · West Main Street
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18
Exit the roundabout onto West Main Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
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19
Turn left onto North Benton Road
788 ft · 36 sec · North Benton Road
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20
Turn right onto East Saint Louis Street
30 m · 4 sec · East Saint Louis Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Saint Louis Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and Frankfort.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 South
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
201 mi · 03h 41m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Rain Showers leaving Evanston and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Frankfort.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Frankfort?
The road trip is about 320.2 miles (515.3 km) and usually takes 06h 04m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Pesotum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 160.3 miles from Evanston and 160 miles from Frankfort.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 293.2 miles (471.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 27 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.61 one way or $85.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Evanston and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Frankfort.
Stop Ideas Near Pesotum
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 Pesotum.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Mattoon station
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Frankfort. Straight-line distance: 293.22 mi (471.9 km).
#1 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Frankfort
County seat city in Franklin County, Kentucky, USA and Kentucky federated state capital city
| Population | 19,411 |
| Coordinates | 37.9000500, -88.9022900 |
| Altitude | 145 |
| Country | United States |
End: Frankfort (-88.90229, 37.90005)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 515 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $42.61 | $85.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.06 | $96.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $52.59 | $105.18 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $59.94 | $119.87 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.