How far is Galena, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Galena, IL to Evanston, IL is about 160.5 miles (258.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.5 miles (229.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 53m 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 56m.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Galena and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Galena and Evanston.
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1
Start on South Bench Street
2297 ft · 2 min · South Bench Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Bench Street
32 m · 11 sec · South Bench Street
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3
Turn left onto Decatur Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Decatur Street
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4
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
12.8 mi · 18 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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5
Continue on Madison Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Madison Street
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6
Continue on West Diagonal Street
639 ft · 21 sec · West Diagonal Street
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7
Continue on North Main Street
2099 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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8
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.6 mi · 6 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on East Woodbine Street
2853 ft · 1 min · East Woodbine Street
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10
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
6.4 mi · 9 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on West North Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · West North Avenue
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12
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
33.2 mi · 42 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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13
Continue on West State Road
9.8 mi · 11 min · West State Road
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14
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
14.5 mi · 17 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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15
Continue straight
1 km · 41 sec
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Chicago
2544 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
19.8 mi · 21 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
35.7 mi · 38 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Elmhurst Road
2200 ft · 42 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Elmhurst Road North
88 m · 9 sec
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21
Turn straight onto South Elmhurst Road
1889 ft · 42 sec · South Elmhurst Road
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22
Turn right onto West Oakton Street
645 ft · 13 sec · West Oakton Street
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23
Continue on West Oakton Street
1.4 km · 2 min · West Oakton Street
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24
Continue on East Oakton Street
6.1 mi · 13 min · East Oakton Street
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25
Continue on Oakton Street
5.8 mi · 11 min · Oakton Street
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26
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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27
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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28
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Galena and Evanston.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
35.7 mi · 00h 38m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Galena and Rain near Evanston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Galena to Evanston?
The road trip is about 160.5 miles (258.3 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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?
New Milford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.7 miles from Galena and 81.8 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.5 miles (229.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 18 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 12:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.40 one way or $52.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Galena and Rain near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near New Milford
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 New Milford.
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Mendota station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Galena and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 142.51 mi (229.34 km).
#1 Galena
County seat of Jo Daviess County, Illinois
| Population | 3,151 |
| Coordinates | 42.4166700, -90.4290200 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| 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: 258 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $26.40 | $52.81 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $29.95 | $59.91 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $33.04 | $66.07 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $37.19 | $74.38 |
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