How far is Litchfield, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Litchfield, IL to Evanston, IL is about 256.8 miles (413.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 223.2 miles (359.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 30m 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 04h 15m.
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.
City in McLean County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Litchfield and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Litchfield and Evanston.
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1
Start on the route
56 m · 19 sec
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2
Turn left onto East Edwards Street
62 m · 11 sec · East Edwards Street
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3
Turn right onto North State Street
971 ft · 48 sec · North State Street
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4
Turn left onto West Union Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · West Union Avenue
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5
Continue on County Road 1200 N
2296 ft · 43 sec · County Road 1200 N
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Springfield
2042 ft · 50 sec
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7
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 1 hr 20 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
120.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue East
1749 ft · 43 sec
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17
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3 mi · 6 min · East Touhy Avenue
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18
Turn left onto North Harlem Avenue
2643 ft · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue
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19
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street
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20
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
531 ft · 11 sec · New Gross Point Road
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21
Continue on Gross Point Road
2627 ft · 55 sec · Gross Point Road
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22
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4 mi · 8 min · Oakton Street
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23
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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24
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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25
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Litchfield 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 55 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
121 mi · 02h 14m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Litchfield and Showers And Thunderstorms near Evanston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Litchfield to Evanston?
The road trip is about 256.8 miles (413.2 km) and usually takes 04h 15m 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?
Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 128.1 miles from Litchfield and 128.6 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 223.2 miles (359.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.26 one way or $84.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Litchfield and Showers And Thunderstorms near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
Normal Town
El Paso City Water Works
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lexington.
Uptown Station
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Litchfield and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 223.19 mi (359.19 km).
#1 Litchfield
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 6,609 |
| Coordinates | 39.1753300, -89.6542600 |
| Altitude | 211 |
| 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: 413 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $42.26 | $84.53 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $47.95 | $95.89 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $52.88 | $105.77 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $59.53 | $119.07 |
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