How far is Ford Heights, IL from Evanston, IL?

The driving distance from Ford Heights, IL to Evanston, IL is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37.3 miles (60 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 18m 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
42.91 mi
01h 09m
Flight
37.29 mi
60.01 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ford Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
37.29 mi
Kilometers
60.01 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
42.91 mi
Kilometers
69.06 km
Drive Time
01h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Evanston
Sun, Apr 19, 12:15 PM CDT
Return by in Ford Heights
Sun, Apr 19, 1:24 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ford Heights
2026-04-19T11:05
Arrive Evanston
Sun, Apr 19, 12:15 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:09 AM to 11:09 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ford Heights
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
South Chicago
IL

Former township in Cook County, Illinois

From Ford Heights
20.6 mi
00h 34m
To Evanston
22.2 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW
Destination
51°F
Sunday

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 Ford Heights and Evanston.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ford Heights and Evanston.

  1. 1

    Start on Lincoln Highway

    1.2 km · 2 min · Lincoln Highway

  2. 2

    Take the ramp slight right toward IL 394 North: Chicago

    1298 ft · 32 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left onto Calumet Expressway

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Calumet Expressway

  4. 4

    Continue on Bishop Ford Freeway

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Bishop Ford Freeway

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Bishop Ford Freeway

  6. 6

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  7. 7

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

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  8. 8

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    3.7 mi · 6 min · Kennedy Expressway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue

    875 ft · 24 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto North Damen Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · North Damen Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn slight left onto North Clybourn Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn right onto North Western Avenue

    5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on Asbury Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Dempster Street

    65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street

  15. 15

    Turn uturn

    65 m · 18 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
37.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Bishop Ford Freeway
10.7 mi · 25%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 18%
Calumet Expressway
5.93 mi · 14%
North Western Avenue
5.53 mi · 13%
Kennedy Expressway
3.69 mi · 9%
Dan Ryan Expressway
3.33 mi · 8%
Longest Stretch

Bishop Ford Freeway

Continue on Bishop Ford Freeway

7.93 mi · 00h 11m

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 09m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.6 mi
37.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
South Chicago
00h 34m from Ford Heights
Leave By
4:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ford Heights to Evanston?

The road trip is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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?

South Chicago is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.6 miles from Ford Heights and 22.2 miles from Evanston.

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

The direct path is about 37.3 miles (60 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.6 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 4:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.69 one way or $11.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near South Chicago

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around South Chicago, 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 South Chicago.

RAIL

Hammond–Whiting station

6 mi away
1135 South Calumet Ave.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

17 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

Homewood

22 mi away
18015 Park Ave.
RAIL

Summit

22 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ford Heights and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 37.29 mi (60.01 km).

Ford Heights

#1 Ford Heights

Village in United States of America

Population2,647
Coordinates41.5064200, -87.5917100
Altitude202
CountryUnited States
Evanston

#2 Evanston

A city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population72,683
Coordinates42.0411400, -87.6900600
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Start: Lincoln Highway (-87.591709, 41.506262)
End: (-87.689971, 42.041051)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 69 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.51 gal
5.73 L · about $5.69
Round trip
$11.39
3.02 gal · 11.46 L
Estimated CO2
13.4 kg one way
Round trip: 26.8 kg / 59 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $5.69 $11.39
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.42 $12.84
Premium $4.65 $7.03 $14.06
Diesel $5.30 $8.01 $16.02

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 Ford Heights and Evanston. The current time is 11:05:36.

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.