How far is Evanston, IL from Thornton, IL?
The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Thornton, IL is about 37.2 miles (59.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.9 miles (53 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 02m 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 01m.
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.
The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Evanston and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Thornton.
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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
1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue
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5
Continue on North Western Avenue
5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue
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6
Turn left onto North Clybourn Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue
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7
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · North Damen Avenue
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8
Turn left onto West Webster Avenue
42 m · 3 sec · West Webster Avenue
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9
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 East, I 94 East
1008 ft · 27 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Kennedy Expressway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Kennedy Expressway
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11
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway
9.8 mi · 13 min · Bishop Ford Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West: 159th Street
1589 ft · 39 sec
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15
Turn straight onto East 162nd Street
1 mi · 3 min · East 162nd Street
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16
Turn left onto South Park Avenue
1.5 mi · 4 min · South Park Avenue
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17
Continue on Chicago Road
1.1 km · 2 min · Chicago Road
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18
Turn left onto Blackstone Street
853 ft · 42 sec · Blackstone Street
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto Margaret Street
85 m · 8 sec · Margaret Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Margaret Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and Thornton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Bishop Ford Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway
9.81 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.
Mostly Cloudy then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Evanston and Partly Sunny then Rain Likely near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Thornton?
The road trip is about 37.2 miles (59.8 km) and usually takes 01h 01m 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?
Chicago is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.6 miles from Evanston and 18.6 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.9 miles (53 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.3 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 4:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.94 one way or $9.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms around Evanston and Partly Sunny then Rain Likely near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Chicago
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 Chicago.
Chicago Union Station
Summit
La Grange Road
Hammond–Whiting station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 32.96 mi (53.04 km).
#1 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Thornton
Village in Cook County, Illinois, USA
| Population | 2,367 |
| Coordinates | 41.5680900, -87.6081000 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thornton (-87.6081, 41.56809)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 60 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.94 | $9.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.57 | $11.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.10 | $12.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.95 | $13.90 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.