How far is Evanston, IL from South Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Evanston, IL to South Elgin, IL is about 39.6 miles (63.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31.1 miles (50 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 01m 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 00m.
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 Cook County, Illinois, United States
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 South Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and South Elgin.
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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
20.6 mi · 22 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 25
154 m · 12 sec
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17
Continue on IL 25
2671 ft · 1 min
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18
Continue straight
648 ft · 18 sec
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19
Turn left onto Dundee Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Dundee Avenue
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20
Continue on Center Street
158 m · 21 sec · Center Street
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21
Turn right onto East Highland Avenue
1930 ft · 55 sec · East Highland Avenue
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22
Turn left onto North State Street
1.8 mi · 5 min · North State Street
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23
Continue on North La Fox Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · North La Fox Street
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24
Turn left onto West State Street
570 ft · 11 sec · West State Street
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25
Continue on State Street Bridge
112 m · 7 sec · State Street Bridge
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26
Continue on East State Street
108 m · 9 sec · East State Street
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27
Turn right onto South Center Street
12 m · 2 sec · South Center Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Center Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and South Elgin.
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.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
20.6 mi · 00h 22m
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 South Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Evanston to South Elgin?
The road trip is about 39.6 miles (63.7 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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?
Rolling Meadows is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.8 miles from Evanston and 19.8 miles from South Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.1 miles (50 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.5 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 4:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.24 one way or $10.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Evanston and Mostly Sunny near South Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Rolling Meadows
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 Rolling Meadows.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Naperville
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and South Elgin. Straight-line distance: 31.08 mi (50.02 km).
#1 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 South Elgin
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 24,646 |
| Coordinates | 41.9941900, -88.2923000 |
| Altitude | 216 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Elgin (-88.2923, 41.99419)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 64 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.24 | $10.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.91 | $11.82 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.47 | $12.94 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.37 | $14.75 |
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.