How far is Park Forest, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Park Forest, IL to Evanston, IL is about 47.2 miles (76 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38 miles (61.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 17m 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 08m.
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.
Former township in Cook County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Park Forest and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Park Forest and Evanston.
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1
Start on Westwood Drive
19 m · 9 sec · Westwood Drive
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2
Turn left onto Western Avenue
2.5 mi · 5 min · Western Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Vollmer Road
1 mi · 2 min · Vollmer Road
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4
Turn right onto Kedzie Avenue
5 mi · 9 min · Kedzie Avenue
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5
Turn left onto West 159th Street
2883 ft · 1 min · West 159th Street
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 57 North: Chicago, I-294 North
2747 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
10.1 mi · 14 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 Park Forest and Evanston.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Park Forest 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 Park Forest to Evanston?
The road trip is about 47.2 miles (76 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?
South Chicago is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.6 miles from Park Forest and 25.5 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 38 miles (61.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.2 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 4:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.26 one way or $12.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Park Forest and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near South 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 South Chicago.
Hammond–Whiting station
Chicago Union Station
Homewood
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Park Forest and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 37.99 mi (61.14 km).
#1 Park Forest
Village in United States of America
| Population | 20,937 |
| Coordinates | 41.4914200, -87.6744900 |
| Altitude | 217 |
| 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: 76 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.26 | $12.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.06 | $14.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.73 | $15.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.80 | $17.61 |
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.