How far is Princeton, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Princeton, IL to Evanston, IL is about 129.3 miles (208.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102.7 miles (165.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 46m 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 23m.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Princeton and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Princeton and Evanston.
-
1
Start on South Main Street
2.1 mi · 4 min · South Main Street
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2
Take the ramp right
1168 ft · 29 sec
-
3
Merge slight left
69.6 mi · 1 hr 15 min
-
4
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago
1892 ft · 54 sec
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5
Merge slight left
26.6 mi · 33 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue East
1749 ft · 43 sec
-
13
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3 mi · 6 min · East Touhy Avenue
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14
Turn left onto North Harlem Avenue
2643 ft · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue
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15
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street
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16
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
531 ft · 11 sec · New Gross Point Road
-
17
Continue on Gross Point Road
2627 ft · 55 sec · Gross Point Road
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18
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4 mi · 8 min · Oakton Street
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19
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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21
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Princeton and Evanston.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
South Main Street
Merge slight left
69.6 mi · 01h 15m
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 Princeton and Rain near Evanston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Princeton to Evanston?
The road trip is about 129.3 miles (208.1 km) and usually takes 02h 23m 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?
Minooka is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.4 miles from Princeton and 64.8 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102.7 miles (165.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.6 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 1:44 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.27 one way or $42.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Princeton and Rain near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Minooka
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 Minooka.
Joliet Transportation Center
Plano
Naperville
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Princeton and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 102.68 mi (165.25 km).
#1 Princeton
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 7,403 |
| Coordinates | 41.3680900, -89.4648100 |
| Altitude | 219 |
| 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: 208 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $21.27 | $42.54 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $24.13 | $48.26 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $26.62 | $53.23 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $29.96 | $59.93 |
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