How far is Evanston, IL from Willowbrook, IL?

The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Willowbrook, IL is about 49.5 miles (79.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 41.1 miles (66.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
49.45 mi
01h 16m
Flight
41.07 mi
66.1 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Evanston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
41.07 mi
Kilometers
66.1 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
49.45 mi
Kilometers
79.59 km
Drive Time
01h 16m

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 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Willowbrook
Sun, Apr 19, 5:54 AM CDT
Return by in Evanston
Sun, Apr 19, 7:11 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Evanston
2026-04-19T04:37
Arrive Willowbrook
Sun, Apr 19, 5:54 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:17 AM to 11:17 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:56 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Evanston
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Calumet
IL

City in Illinois

From Evanston
24.7 mi
00h 38m
To Willowbrook
24.7 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW
Destination
52°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Evanston and Willowbrook.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Willowbrook.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    60 m · 22 sec

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left

    43 m · 16 sec

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Dempster Street

    65 m · 15 sec · Dempster Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Asbury Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on North Western Avenue

    5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Clybourn Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn right onto North Damen Avenue

    1.2 km · 2 min · North Damen Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto West Webster Avenue

    42 m · 3 sec · West Webster Avenue

  9. 9

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 East, I 94 East

    1008 ft · 27 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Kennedy Expressway

    3.6 mi · 5 min · Kennedy Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway

    10.8 mi · 15 min · Bishop Ford Freeway

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Calumet Expressway

    2410 ft · 49 sec · Calumet Expressway

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on Calumet Expressway

    9.7 mi · 13 min · Calumet Expressway

  16. 16

    Turn left onto East Exchange Street

    2.9 mi · 4 min · East Exchange Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto South State Line Road

    1.3 mi · 3 min · South State Line Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Challas Drive

    1665 ft · 1 min · Challas Drive

  19. 19

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Buried Oak Drive

    1415 ft · 1 min · Buried Oak Drive

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Longwood Drive

    100 m · 14 sec · Longwood Drive

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Longwood Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and Willowbrook.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
42.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Bishop Ford Freeway
10.8 mi · 22%
Calumet Expressway
10.2 mi · 21%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.83 mi · 18%
North Western Avenue
5.53 mi · 11%
Kennedy Expressway
3.57 mi · 7%
East Exchange Street
2.87 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Bishop Ford Freeway

Keep slight left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway

10.8 mi · 00h 15m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 16m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.4 mi
41.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Calumet
00h 38m from Evanston
Leave By
3:56 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Evanston and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Willowbrook.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Willowbrook?

The road trip is about 49.5 miles (79.6 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?

Calumet is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.7 miles from Evanston and 24.7 miles from Willowbrook.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 41.1 miles (66.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.4 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 3:56 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.60 one way or $13.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Evanston and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Willowbrook.

Stop Ideas Near Calumet

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Calumet, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Calumet.

RAIL

Hammond–Whiting station

6 mi away
1135 South Calumet Ave.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

18 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

Homewood

21 mi away
18015 Park Ave.
BUS

Gary, IN

23 mi away
100 West 4th Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Willowbrook. Straight-line distance: 41.07 mi (66.1 km).

Evanston

#1 Evanston

A city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population72,683
Coordinates42.0411400, -87.6900600
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Willowbrook

Town in Will County, Illinois, United States

Population2,076
Coordinates41.4578100, -87.5364300
Altitude218
CountryUnited States
Start: Evanston (-87.69006, 42.04114)
End: Willowbrook (-87.53643, 41.45781)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 80 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.75 gal
6.61 L · about $6.60
Round trip
$13.20
3.5 gal · 13.22 L
Estimated CO2
15.6 kg one way
Round trip: 31.1 kg / 69 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.60 $13.20
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.44 $14.89
Premium $4.65 $8.14 $16.29
Diesel $5.30 $9.28 $18.56

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Evanston and Willowbrook. The current time is 04:37:49.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.