How far is Evanston, IL from Rock Island, IL?
The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Rock Island, IL is about 175.5 miles (282.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 153.3 miles (246.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 20m 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 40m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Evanston and Rock Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Rock Island.
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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
8.9 mi · 12 min · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1.5 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1251 ft · 31 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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17
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 West Toll: Aurora
2633 ft · 50 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.2 km · 60 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
25.1 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
69.5 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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22
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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23
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
37.8 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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24
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
5.4 mi · 6 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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25
Continue straight
3.7 mi · 5 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward IL 84 North, IL 92 West: Silvis
7.9 mi · 20 min
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27
Continue on 6th Avenue
588 ft · 17 sec · 6th Avenue
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28
Continue on 5th Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · 5th Avenue
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29
Continue on 4th Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue
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30
Turn right onto 15th Street
141 m · 15 sec · 15th Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 15th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and Rock Island.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
69.5 mi · 01h 14m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Evanston and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Rock Island.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Rock Island?
The road trip is about 175.5 miles (282.4 km) and usually takes 03h 40m 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?
Flagg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.6 miles from Evanston and 87.9 miles from Rock Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 153.3 miles (246.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.2 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 9:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.34 one way or $46.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Evanston and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Rock Island.
Stop Ideas Near Flagg
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 Flagg.
Mendota station
Rockford, Illinois
Plano
Princeton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Rock Island. Straight-line distance: 153.3 mi (246.72 km).
#1 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rock Island
City in Illinois
| Population | 36,870 |
| Coordinates | 41.5094800, -90.5787500 |
| Altitude | 171 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rock Island (-90.57875, 41.50948)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 282 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.34 | $46.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.33 | $52.65 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.81 | $57.62 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.83 | $65.66 |
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.