How far is Oak Forest, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Oak Forest, IL to Evanston, IL is about 37.9 miles (61 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.4 miles (48.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 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 00h 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.
The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Oak Forest and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Forest and Evanston.
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1
Start on the route
36 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn uturn onto West 159th Street
2.1 mi · 4 min · West 159th Street
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3
Take the ramp sharp left toward I 57 North: Chicago, I-294 North
2747 ft · 1 min
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4
Merge slight left
10.1 mi · 14 min
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5
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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7
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
3.7 mi · 6 min · Kennedy Expressway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue
875 ft · 24 sec
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9
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Damen Avenue
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10
Turn slight left onto North Clybourn Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue
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11
Turn right onto North Western Avenue
5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue
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12
Continue on Asbury Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue
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13
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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14
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Oak Forest 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
10.1 mi · 00h 14m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Oak Forest and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Evanston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Oak Forest to Evanston?
The road trip is about 37.9 miles (61 km) and usually takes 00h 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?
Chicago is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.1 miles from Oak Forest and 19.8 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.4 miles (48.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.5 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 4:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.05 one way or $10.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Oak Forest and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Chicago
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 Chicago.
Chicago Union Station
Summit
La Grange Road
Hammond–Whiting station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Oak Forest and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 30.41 mi (48.94 km).
#1 Oak Forest
City in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 26,884 |
| Coordinates | 41.6028100, -87.7439400 |
| Altitude | 205 |
| 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: 61 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.05 | $10.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.70 | $11.40 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.24 | $12.47 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.11 | $14.21 |
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 24, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.