How far is Evanston, IL from Lake of the Woods, IL?
The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Lake of the Woods, IL is about 151.8 miles (244.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 131.6 miles (211.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 09m 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 04m.
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 Kankakee County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Fog then Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Evanston and Lake of the Woods.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Lake of the Woods.
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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
120.9 mi · 2 hr 15 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West: Peoria
2125 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left
4.8 mi · 5 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Prairieview Road
1777 ft · 43 sec
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17
Turn right onto South Prairieview Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · South Prairieview Road
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18
Turn left onto County Road 50
1318 ft · 1 min · County Road 50
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19
Turn left onto North Lake of the Woods Road
138 m · 14 sec · North Lake of the Woods Road
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20
Turn left
92 m · 24 sec
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21
Turn left
42 m · 10 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and Lake of the Woods.
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
121 mi · 02h 15m
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.
Areas Of Fog then Partly Sunny leaving Evanston and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake of the Woods.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Lake of the Woods?
The road trip is about 151.8 miles (244.3 km) and usually takes 03h 04m 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?
Otto is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.9 miles from Evanston and 75.9 miles from Lake of the Woods.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 131.6 miles (211.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.2 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 10:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.21 one way or $40.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog then Partly Sunny around Evanston and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake of the Woods.
Stop Ideas Near Otto
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 Otto.
Kankakee
Gilman
Dwight station
Joliet Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Lake of the Woods. Straight-line distance: 131.59 mi (211.78 km).
#1 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake of the Woods
Census designated place in Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,912 |
| Coordinates | 40.2064200, -88.3686700 |
| Altitude | 228 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake of the Woods (-88.36867, 40.20642)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 244 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.21 | $40.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.80 | $45.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.95 | $49.89 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.43 | $56.86 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.