How far is Mackinaw, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Mackinaw, IL to Evanston, IL is about 164.2 miles (264.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.3 miles (217.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 52m 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.
Village in Illinois
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 Mackinaw and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mackinaw and Evanston.
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1
Start on East Fast Avenue
138 m · 14 sec · East Fast Avenue
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2
Turn right onto North Main Street
1119 ft · 31 sec · North Main Street
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3
Continue on Dee Mac Road
2115 ft · 58 sec · Dee Mac Road
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4
Continue on Dee-Mac Road
3 mi · 5 min · Dee-Mac Road
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5
Continue on Dee-Mac Road
2.6 mi · 4 min · Dee-Mac Road
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6
Turn right
1.5 km · 1 min
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7
Turn right onto County Line Road
2.1 mi · 5 min · County Line Road
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8
At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road 1300 East
1108 ft · 17 sec · County Road 1300 East
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9
Continue on West Martin Drive
1.2 km · 2 min · West Martin Drive
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10
Turn left
125 m · 11 sec
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11
Take the ramp right toward I 74 East
1340 ft · 20 sec
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12
Merge slight left
14 mi · 15 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
1.4 mi · 3 min
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14
Merge slight left
113.6 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue East
1749 ft · 43 sec
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22
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3 mi · 6 min · East Touhy Avenue
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23
Turn left onto North Harlem Avenue
2643 ft · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue
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24
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street
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25
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
531 ft · 11 sec · New Gross Point Road
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26
Continue on Gross Point Road
2627 ft · 55 sec · Gross Point Road
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27
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4 mi · 8 min · Oakton Street
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28
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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29
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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30
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mackinaw 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
Merge slight left
114 mi · 02h 07m
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 Mackinaw 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 Mackinaw to Evanston?
The road trip is about 164.2 miles (264.2 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?
Dwight is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.9 miles from Mackinaw and 79.2 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.3 miles (217.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.83 one way or $43.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Mackinaw and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Dwight
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 Dwight.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Kankakee
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mackinaw and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 135.25 mi (217.67 km).
#1 Mackinaw
City in Tazewell County, Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 2,430 |
| Coordinates | 40.5369800, -89.3575900 |
| Altitude | 209 |
| 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: 264 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.83 | $43.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.62 | $49.25 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.95 | $53.89 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.71 | $61.42 |
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.