How far is Ottawa, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Ottawa, IL to Evanston, IL is about 95 miles (152.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 76.4 miles (123 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 40m 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 50m.
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.
Census designated place
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 Ottawa and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ottawa and Evanston.
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1
Start on La Salle Street
31 m · 5 sec · La Salle Street
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2
Turn slight left onto Lincoln Place
137 m · 25 sec · Lincoln Place
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3
Turn left onto Columbus Street
68 m · 11 sec · Columbus Street
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4
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.2 km · 1 min · East Main Street
-
5
Turn slight left onto Green Street
2119 ft · 42 sec · Green Street
-
6
Continue on North 2753rd Road
3277 ft · 1 min · North 2753rd Road
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7
Turn left
1240 ft · 26 sec
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8
Turn right
2.3 mi · 3 min
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9
Take the ramp right toward I 80 East: Joliet
1434 ft · 35 sec
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10
Merge slight left
32.8 mi · 35 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago
1892 ft · 54 sec
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12
Merge slight left
26.6 mi · 33 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue East
1749 ft · 43 sec
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20
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3 mi · 6 min · East Touhy Avenue
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21
Turn left onto North Harlem Avenue
2643 ft · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue
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22
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street
-
23
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
531 ft · 11 sec · New Gross Point Road
-
24
Continue on Gross Point Road
2627 ft · 55 sec · Gross Point Road
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25
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4 mi · 8 min · Oakton Street
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26
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
-
27
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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28
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ottawa 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 80 East
Merge slight left
32.8 mi · 00h 35m
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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa to Evanston?
The road trip is about 95 miles (152.9 km) and usually takes 01h 50m 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?
Crystal Lawns is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.3 miles from Ottawa and 47.7 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 76.4 miles (123 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.63 one way or $25.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Ottawa and Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Crystal Lawns
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 Crystal Lawns.
Joliet Transportation Center
Naperville
Plano
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ottawa and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 76.45 mi (123.04 km).
#1 Ottawa
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 18,097 |
| Coordinates | 41.3455900, -88.8425800 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| 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: 153 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.63 | $25.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.25 | $28.50 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $15.59 | $31.18 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $17.77 | $35.54 |
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.