How far is Evanston, IL from Ottawa, IL?
The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Ottawa, IL is about 93.7 miles (150.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 76.4 miles (123 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 06m 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 03m.
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.
Census designated place
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 Ottawa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Ottawa.
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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
4 mi · 8 min · West Touhy Avenue
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12
Turn left onto South Des Plaines River Road
56 m · 4 sec · South Des Plaines River Road
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13
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana
2265 ft · 55 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
11.5 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
25.9 mi · 32 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Iowa
1.3 km · 1 min
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21
Merge slight left
32.1 mi · 34 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward IL 71: Ottawa, Oswego
1456 ft · 35 sec
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23
Turn left onto Illinois Route 71
2.6 mi · 4 min · Illinois Route 71
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24
Turn left
1287 ft · 27 sec
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25
Turn right onto North 2753rd Road
3277 ft · 1 min · North 2753rd Road
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26
Continue on North Green Street
2119 ft · 42 sec · North Green Street
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27
Continue on East Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · East Main Street
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28
Turn left onto La Salle Street
17 m · 2 sec · La Salle Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · La Salle Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and Ottawa.
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 80 West
Merge slight left
32.1 mi · 00h 34m
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 Ottawa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Ottawa?
The road trip is about 93.7 miles (150.8 km) and usually takes 02h 03m 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?
Crystal Lawns is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46.8 miles from Evanston and 46.9 miles from Ottawa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 76.4 miles (123 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.48 one way or $24.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Evanston and Mostly Sunny near Ottawa.
Stop Ideas Near Crystal Lawns
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 Crystal Lawns.
Joliet Transportation Center
Naperville
Plano
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Ottawa. Straight-line distance: 76.45 mi (123.04 km).
#1 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ottawa
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 18,097 |
| Coordinates | 41.3455900, -88.8425800 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ottawa (-88.84258, 41.34559)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 151 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.48 | $24.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.08 | $28.15 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $15.40 | $30.81 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $17.56 | $35.11 |
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.