How far is Evanston, IL from Lena, IL?
The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Lena, IL is about 123.8 miles (199.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 111.6 miles (179.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 37m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Evanston and Lena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Lena.
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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 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4 mi · 7 min · Oakton Street
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6
Turn slight left onto Gross Point Road
2627 ft · 52 sec · Gross Point Road
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7
Turn straight onto New Gross Point Road
531 ft · 15 sec · New Gross Point Road
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8
Turn right onto Howard Street
1222 ft · 35 sec · Howard Street
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9
Turn left onto North Lehigh Avenue
37 m · 2 sec · North Lehigh Avenue
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10
Turn right onto West Gross Point Road
1.4 km · 2 min · West Gross Point Road
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11
Turn slight right onto West Touhy Avenue
3.3 mi · 6 min · West Touhy Avenue
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12
Turn left onto South Dee Road
1 mi · 2 min · South Dee Road
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13
Turn right onto Devon Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · Devon Avenue
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14
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 West Toll
1349 ft · 33 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
59.4 mi · 1 hr 4 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington
1.1 km · 1 min
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17
Merge slight right
2475 ft · 30 sec
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18
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 2 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
29.6 mi · 34 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 BUS: Freeport
3.6 mi · 6 min
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21
Turn slight right onto South Galena Avenue
7.3 mi · 13 min · South Galena Avenue
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22
Turn left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
6.6 mi · 9 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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23
Turn right onto IL 73
1 mi · 2 min · IL 73
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24
Continue on South Schuyler Street
1 km · 1 min · South Schuyler Street
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25
Turn left onto West Lena Street
28 m · 2 sec · West Lena Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Lena Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and Lena.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
59.4 mi · 01h 04m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Evanston and Mostly Sunny near Lena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Lena?
The road trip is about 123.8 miles (199.2 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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?
Belvidere is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.8 miles from Evanston and 62 miles from Lena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 111.6 miles (179.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.48 one way or $32.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Evanston and Mostly Sunny near Lena.
Stop Ideas Near Belvidere
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 Belvidere.
Rockford, Illinois
South Beloit, Illinois
Janesville, Wisconsin
Plano
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Lena. Straight-line distance: 111.59 mi (179.59 km).
#1 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lena
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 2,680 |
| Coordinates | 42.3794600, -89.8223400 |
| Altitude | 289 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lena (-89.82234, 42.37946)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 199 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.48 | $32.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.59 | $37.17 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.34 | $40.68 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.18 | $46.36 |
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.