How far is Evanston, IL from McHenry, IL?
The driving distance from Evanston, IL to McHenry, IL is about 42.5 miles (68.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 35.8 miles (57.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 18m 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 01h 09m.
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.
Village in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Evanston and McHenry.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and McHenry.
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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 · 11 sec · Dempster Street
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4
Turn right onto Asbury Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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5
Turn left onto Green Bay Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Green Bay Road
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6
Turn left onto Central Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Central Street
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7
Turn right onto Crawford Avenue
3078 ft · 1 min · Crawford Avenue
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8
Turn left onto Wilmette Avenue
27 m · 2 sec · Wilmette Avenue
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Glenview Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Glenview Road
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10
Turn right onto Skokie Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Skokie Boulevard
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11
Take the ramp straight toward I 94 West
1251 ft · 31 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Edens Expressway
4 mi · 5 min · Edens Expressway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Edens Spur
5.3 mi · 6 min · Edens Spur
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14
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 22: Half Day Road
1716 ft · 44 sec
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16
Turn left onto Half Day Road
2 mi · 3 min · Half Day Road
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17
Turn right onto Olde Half Day Road
2302 ft · 48 sec · Olde Half Day Road
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18
Continue on East US Highway 45
3.9 mi · 6 min · East US Highway 45
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19
Continue straight
7.5 mi · 13 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on West State Route 60
3.1 mi · 4 min · West State Route 60
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Belvidere Road
2.5 mi · 4 min · West Belvidere Road
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22
Continue on Rand Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Rand Road
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23
Continue on Elm Street
2.6 mi · 5 min · Elm Street
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24
Turn left onto North Green Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Green Street
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25
Turn left
32 m · 13 sec
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26
Turn left
72 m · 17 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and McHenry.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
East US Highway 45
Continue straight
7.51 mi · 00h 13m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Evanston and Mostly Cloudy near McHenry.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Evanston to McHenry?
The road trip is about 42.5 miles (68.4 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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?
Lincolnshire is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.2 miles from Evanston and 21.3 miles from McHenry.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 35.8 miles (57.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.7 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 4:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.66 one way or $11.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Evanston and Mostly Cloudy near McHenry.
Stop Ideas Near Lincolnshire
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 Lincolnshire.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and McHenry. Straight-line distance: 35.77 mi (57.56 km).
#1 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 McHenry
City in Illinois
| Population | 27,100 |
| Coordinates | 42.3333500, -88.2667500 |
| Altitude | 243 |
| Country | United States |
End: McHenry (-88.26675, 42.33335)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 68 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.66 | $11.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.38 | $12.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.98 | $13.96 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.96 | $15.91 |
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 · May 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.