How far is Pontiac, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Pontiac, IL to Evanston, IL is about 110.3 miles (177.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 93.8 miles (150.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 07m 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 03m.
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Pontiac and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pontiac and Evanston.
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1
Start on North Mill Street
33 m · 8 sec · North Mill Street
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2
Turn left onto West Howard Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West Howard Street
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3
Turn right onto Old Route 66
2100 ft · 46 sec · Old Route 66
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4
Turn left onto West Custer Avenue
682 ft · 17 sec · West Custer Avenue
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5
Continue on North 1500 East Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · North 1500 East Road
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Joliet
2198 ft · 54 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
76.1 mi · 1 hr 26 min · Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue East
1749 ft · 43 sec
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15
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3 mi · 6 min · East Touhy Avenue
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16
Turn left onto North Harlem Avenue
2643 ft · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue
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17
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street
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18
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
531 ft · 11 sec · New Gross Point Road
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19
Continue on Gross Point Road
2627 ft · 55 sec · Gross Point Road
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20
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4 mi · 8 min · Oakton Street
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21
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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22
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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23
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Pontiac 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.
Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
Merge slight left onto Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
76.1 mi · 01h 26m
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 Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers leaving Pontiac and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely near Evanston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Pontiac to Evanston?
The road trip is about 110.3 miles (177.5 km) and usually takes 02h 03m 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?
Shorewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55 miles from Pontiac and 55.3 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 93.8 miles (150.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.5 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 2:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.26 one way or $36.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers around Pontiac and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Shorewood
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 Shorewood.
Joliet Transportation Center
Naperville
Plano
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Pontiac and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 93.78 mi (150.92 km).
#1 Pontiac
Pontiac is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.8808700, -88.6297800 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| 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: 178 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.69 | $18.26 | $36.52 |
| Mid-grade | $5.33 | $20.73 | $41.47 |
| Premium | $5.88 | $22.85 | $45.71 |
| Diesel | $6.58 | $25.59 | $51.18 |
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 16, 2026