How far is Paxton, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Paxton, IL to Evanston, IL is about 124 miles (199.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 111.2 miles (179 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 49m 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 24m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers then Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Paxton and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paxton and Evanston.
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1
Start on the route
5 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn left onto East Pells Street
53 m · 8 sec · East Pells Street
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3
Turn left onto South Railroad Avenue
1183 ft · 20 sec · South Railroad Avenue
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4
Turn slight right
47 m · 6 sec
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5
Turn right onto East Patton Street
105 m · 11 sec · East Patton Street
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6
Turn left onto South Market Street
985 ft · 17 sec · South Market Street
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7
Continue on Ottawa Road
2633 ft · 45 sec · Ottawa Road
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8
Take the ramp right toward I-57 North: Kankakee
1708 ft · 42 sec
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9
Merge slight left
97.2 mi · 1 hr 49 min
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10
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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12
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
3.7 mi · 6 min · Kennedy Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue
875 ft · 24 sec
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14
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Damen Avenue
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15
Turn slight left onto North Clybourn Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue
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16
Turn right onto North Western Avenue
5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue
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17
Continue on Asbury Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue
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18
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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19
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Paxton 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
97.2 mi · 01h 49m
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 leaving Paxton and Chance Rain Showers then Cloudy near Evanston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Paxton to Evanston?
The road trip is about 124 miles (199.5 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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?
Manteno is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.1 miles from Paxton and 62.8 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 111.2 miles (179 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.8 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 1:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.39 one way or $40.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Paxton and Chance Rain Showers then Cloudy near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Manteno
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 Manteno.
Kankakee
Homewood
Joliet Transportation Center
Dyer station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Paxton and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 111.23 mi (179.01 km).
#1 Paxton
City in Ford County, Illinois
| Population | 4,117 |
| Coordinates | 40.4603100, -88.0953200 |
| Altitude | 241 |
| 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: 199 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $20.39 | $40.77 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $23.13 | $46.25 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $25.51 | $51.02 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $28.72 | $57.43 |
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