How far is Frankfort, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Frankfort, IL to Evanston, IL is about 322.2 miles (518.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 293.2 miles (471.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 18m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in Champaign County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Frankfort and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Frankfort and Evanston.
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1
Start on East Saint Louis Street
30 m · 9 sec · East Saint Louis Street
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2
Turn left onto North Benton Road
788 ft · 37 sec · North Benton Road
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3
Turn right onto East Main Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · East Main Street
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
6 m · 1 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout
1714 ft · 42 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
31 mi · 34 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195.2 mi · 3 hr 34 min
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9
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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11
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
3.7 mi · 6 min · Kennedy Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue
875 ft · 24 sec
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13
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Damen Avenue
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14
Turn slight left onto North Clybourn Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue
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15
Turn right onto North Western Avenue
5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue
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16
Continue on Asbury Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue
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17
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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18
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Frankfort and Evanston.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195 mi · 03h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Frankfort and Rain Showers near Evanston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Frankfort to Evanston?
The road trip is about 322.2 miles (518.5 km) and usually takes 05h 18m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Pesotum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 160.1 miles from Frankfort and 162.1 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 293.2 miles (471.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 29 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.88 one way or $85.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Frankfort and Rain Showers near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Pesotum
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 Pesotum.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Mattoon station
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Frankfort and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 293.22 mi (471.9 km).
#1 Frankfort
County seat city in Franklin County, Kentucky, USA and Kentucky federated state capital city
| Population | 19,411 |
| Coordinates | 37.9000500, -88.9022900 |
| Altitude | 145 |
| 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: 518 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $42.88 | $85.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.36 | $96.71 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $52.92 | $105.83 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $60.31 | $120.61 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.