How far is Evanston, IL from Princeton, IL?
The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Princeton, IL is about 128.3 miles (206.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102.7 miles (165.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 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 02h 39m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Evanston and Princeton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Princeton.
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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
68.9 mi · 1 hr 14 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward IL 26: Princeton, Dixon
1795 ft · 45 sec
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23
Turn left onto Main Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · Main Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and Princeton.
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
68.9 mi · 01h 14m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Evanston and Showers And Thunderstorms near Princeton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Princeton?
The road trip is about 128.3 miles (206.4 km) and usually takes 02h 39m 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?
Minooka is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.1 miles from Evanston and 64.2 miles from Princeton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102.7 miles (165.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.6 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 1:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.13 one way or $42.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Evanston and Showers And Thunderstorms near Princeton.
Stop Ideas Near Minooka
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 Minooka.
Joliet Transportation Center
Plano
Naperville
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Princeton. Straight-line distance: 102.68 mi (165.25 km).
#1 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Princeton
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 7,403 |
| Coordinates | 41.3680900, -89.4648100 |
| Altitude | 219 |
| Country | United States |
End: Princeton (-89.46481, 41.36809)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 206 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $21.13 | $42.26 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $23.97 | $47.95 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $26.44 | $52.88 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $29.77 | $59.53 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026