How far is Fairbury, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Fairbury, IL to Evanston, IL is about 117.8 miles (189.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 99.1 miles (159.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 37m 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 02h 18m.
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 Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fairbury and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairbury and Evanston.
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1
Start on North 2nd Street
1280 ft · 1 min · North 2nd Street
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2
Turn right onto West Oak Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · West Oak Street
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3
Continue on East 800 North Road
2.4 mi · 3 min · East 800 North Road
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4
Continue on East 3100 North Road
2 mi · 3 min · East 3100 North Road
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5
Turn right onto North 3360 East Road
1 mi · 2 min · North 3360 East Road
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6
Continue on North 1600 East Road
7.3 mi · 10 min · North 1600 East Road
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7
Continue on South Manlove Street
1352 ft · 30 sec · South Manlove Street
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8
Turn left onto East Torrance Avenue
1644 ft · 35 sec · East Torrance Avenue
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9
Turn right onto South Mill Street
2641 ft · 58 sec · South Mill Street
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10
Turn left onto West Reynolds Street
1.2 km · 1 min · West Reynolds Street
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11
Turn right
754 ft · 14 sec
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12
Continue straight
1944 ft · 39 sec
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13
Continue on Old Route 66
2100 ft · 46 sec · Old Route 66
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14
Turn left onto West Custer Avenue
682 ft · 17 sec · West Custer Avenue
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15
Continue on North 1500 East Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · North 1500 East Road
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16
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Joliet
2198 ft · 54 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
76.1 mi · 1 hr 26 min · Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue East
1749 ft · 43 sec
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25
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3 mi · 6 min · East Touhy Avenue
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26
Turn left onto North Harlem Avenue
2643 ft · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue
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27
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street
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28
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
531 ft · 11 sec · New Gross Point Road
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29
Continue on Gross Point Road
2627 ft · 55 sec · Gross Point Road
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30
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4 mi · 8 min · Oakton Street
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31
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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32
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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33
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairbury and Evanston.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
Merge slight left onto Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
76.1 mi · 01h 26m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fairbury and Showers And Thunderstorms near Evanston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fairbury to Evanston?
The road trip is about 117.8 miles (189.6 km) and usually takes 02h 18m 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?
Channahon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.9 miles from Fairbury and 54.9 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 99.1 miles (159.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.7 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 1:52 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.41 one way or $38.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Fairbury and Showers And Thunderstorms near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Channahon
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 Channahon.
Joliet Transportation Center
Plano
Naperville
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fairbury and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 99.09 mi (159.47 km).
#1 Fairbury
City in Livingston County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 3,596 |
| Coordinates | 40.7472600, -88.5147800 |
| Altitude | 209 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.689971, 42.041051)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 190 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $19.41 | $38.81 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $22.01 | $44.03 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $24.28 | $48.56 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $27.34 | $54.67 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026