How far is Gurnee, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Gurnee, IL to Evanston, IL is about 29.1 miles (46.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.2 miles (40.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 39m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gurnee and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gurnee and Evanston.
-
1
Start on North Greenleaf Street
28 m · 8 sec · North Greenleaf Street
-
2
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1509 ft · 25 sec · Grand Avenue
-
3
Take the ramp slight right toward US 41 South: Chicago
1644 ft · 45 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Skokie Highway
9.7 mi · 12 min · Skokie Highway
-
5
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
-
6
Continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
-
7
Continue on Edens Expressway
5.6 mi · 7 min · Edens Expressway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward Old Orchard Road
1796 ft · 46 sec
-
9
Turn left onto Old Orchard Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · Old Orchard Road
-
10
Turn left onto Gross Point Road
1027 ft · 23 sec · Gross Point Road
-
11
Turn right onto Central Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Central Street
-
12
Turn right onto Green Bay Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Green Bay Road
-
13
Turn right onto Asbury Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
-
14
Turn left onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
-
15
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
-
16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gurnee and Evanston.
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.
Skokie Highway
Merge slight left onto Skokie Highway
9.72 mi · 00h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Gurnee and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gurnee to Evanston?
The road trip is about 29.1 miles (46.8 km) and usually takes 00h 39m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Highland Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.2 miles from Gurnee and 14.9 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.2 miles (40.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.85 one way or $7.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gurnee and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Highland Park
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 Highland Park.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gurnee and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 25.2 mi (40.55 km).
#1 Gurnee
Village in Illinois
| Population | 30,168 |
| Coordinates | 42.3703000, -87.9020200 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| 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: 47 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.85 | $7.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.34 | $8.68 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.75 | $9.49 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.41 | $10.82 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.