How far is Evanston, IL from Zion, IL?
The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Zion, IL is about 35 miles (56.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28.9 miles (46.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 46m 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 00h 53m.
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 Lake County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Evanston and Zion.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Zion.
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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 · 11 sec · Dempster Street
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4
Turn right onto Asbury Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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5
Turn left onto Green Bay Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Green Bay Road
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6
Turn left onto Central Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Central Street
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7
Turn right onto Crawford Avenue
3078 ft · 1 min · Crawford Avenue
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8
Turn left onto Wilmette Avenue
27 m · 2 sec · Wilmette Avenue
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Glenview Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Glenview Road
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10
Turn right onto Skokie Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Skokie Boulevard
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11
Take the ramp straight toward I 94 West
1251 ft · 31 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Edens Expressway
4 mi · 5 min · Edens Expressway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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14
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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15
Continue on South Skokie Highway
5.6 mi · 7 min · South Skokie Highway
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16
Turn right onto Buckley Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Buckley Road
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17
Turn left onto Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
1.4 km · 60 sec · Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
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18
Continue on Sheridan Road
2.4 mi · 3 min · Sheridan Road
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19
Continue on Melvin Amstutz Highway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Melvin Amstutz Highway
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20
Turn left onto West Greenwood Avenue
1713 ft · 32 sec · West Greenwood Avenue
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21
Turn right onto North Sheridan Road
4.3 mi · 9 min · North Sheridan Road
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22
Turn left onto 27th Street
1975 ft · 54 sec · 27th Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 27th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and Zion.
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.
South Skokie Highway
Continue on South Skokie Highway
5.56 mi · 00h 07m
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 Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Zion.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Zion?
The road trip is about 35 miles (56.3 km) and usually takes 00h 53m 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?
Lake Forest is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.5 miles from Evanston and 17.5 miles from Zion.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 28.9 miles (46.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.1 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 4:44 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.68 one way or $9.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms around Evanston and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Zion.
Stop Ideas Near Lake Forest
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 Lake Forest.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Sturtevant station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Zion. Straight-line distance: 28.92 mi (46.54 km).
#1 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Zion
City in Lake County, Illinois, US
| Population | 23,321 |
| Coordinates | 42.4461300, -87.8328500 |
| Altitude | 198 |
| Country | United States |
End: Zion (-87.83285, 42.44613)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.68 | $9.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.27 | $10.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.77 | $11.54 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.58 | $13.15 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.