How far is Kankakee, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Kankakee, IL to Evanston, IL is about 73.7 miles (118.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 64.2 miles (103.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 01m 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 01h 30m.
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 Cook County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kankakee and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kankakee and Evanston.
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1
Start on East Court Street
122 m · 16 sec · East Court Street
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2
Turn left onto North Harrison Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · North Harrison Avenue
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Fair Street
2023 ft · 36 sec · Fair Street
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4
Continue on North Hobbie Avenue
3102 ft · 54 sec · North Hobbie Avenue
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5
Continue on South Kinzie Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · South Kinzie Avenue
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6
Turn left onto I-57 North: Chicago
1280 ft · 33 sec
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7
Merge slight left
42.8 mi · 51 min
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8
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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10
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
3.7 mi · 6 min · Kennedy Expressway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue
875 ft · 24 sec
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12
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Damen Avenue
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13
Turn slight left onto North Clybourn Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue
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14
Turn right onto North Western Avenue
5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue
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15
Continue on Asbury Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue
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16
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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17
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kankakee 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.
I-57 North
Merge slight left
42.8 mi · 00h 51m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Kankakee 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 Kankakee to Evanston?
The road trip is about 73.7 miles (118.6 km) and usually takes 01h 30m 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?
Oak Forest is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.3 miles from Kankakee and 38.4 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 64.2 miles (103.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.5 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 3:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.80 one way or $19.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Kankakee and Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Oak Forest
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 Oak Forest.
Homewood
Dyer station
Summit
Hammond–Whiting station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kankakee and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 64.26 mi (103.41 km).
#1 Kankakee
City in Kankakee County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 25,668 |
| Coordinates | 41.1200300, -87.8611500 |
| Altitude | 200 |
| 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: 119 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $9.80 | $19.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $11.06 | $22.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $12.10 | $24.20 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $13.79 | $27.58 |
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.