How far is Rantoul, IL from Evanston, IL?

The driving distance from Rantoul, IL to Evanston, IL is about 135.3 miles (217.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 122.2 miles (196.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
135.26 mi
02h 25m
Flight
122.15 mi
196.58 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rantoul.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
122.15 mi
Kilometers
196.58 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
135.26 mi
Kilometers
217.68 km
Drive Time
02h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Evanston
Sat, Apr 25, 3:17 PM CDT
Return by in Rantoul
Sat, Apr 25, 5:42 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rantoul
2026-04-25T12:51
Arrive Evanston
Sat, Apr 25, 3:17 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:26 AM to 12:26 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:38 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rantoul
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Bradley
IL

Village in Illinois, United States

From Rantoul
66.8 mi
01h 12m
To Evanston
68.5 mi
01h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 14 mph NNE
Destination
50°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Rantoul and Evanston.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rantoul and Evanston.

  1. 1

    Start on South Century Boulevard

    19 m · 6 sec · South Century Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Champaign Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East Champaign Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I-57 North: Kankakee

    2320 ft · 49 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    108.2 mi · 2 hr 1 min

  5. 5

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  7. 7

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    3.7 mi · 6 min · Kennedy Expressway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue

    875 ft · 24 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto North Damen Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · North Damen Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn slight left onto North Clybourn Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North Western Avenue

    5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on Asbury Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Dempster Street

    65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street

  14. 14

    Turn uturn

    65 m · 18 sec

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Rantoul and Evanston.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-57 North
109 mi · 80%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 6%
North Western Avenue
5.53 mi · 4%
Kennedy Expressway
3.69 mi · 3%
Dan Ryan Expressway
3.33 mi · 2%
Asbury Avenue
1.51 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I-57 North

Merge slight left

108 mi · 02h 01m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 25m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.1 mi
122.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bradley
01h 12m from Rantoul
Leave By
1:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Rantoul 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 Rantoul to Evanston?

The road trip is about 135.3 miles (217.7 km) and usually takes 02h 25m 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?

Bradley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.8 miles from Rantoul and 68.5 miles from Evanston.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 122.2 miles (196.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.1 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 1:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.99 one way or $35.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rantoul and Mostly Sunny near Evanston.

Stop Ideas Near Bradley

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Bradley, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bradley.

RAIL

Kankakee

3 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Gilman

44 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

46 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Dwight station

48 mi away
119 West Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rantoul and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 122.15 mi (196.58 km).

Rantoul

#1 Rantoul

Village in Illinois

Population12,305
Coordinates40.3083700, -88.1558800
Altitude227
CountryUnited States
Evanston

#2 Evanston

A city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population72,683
Coordinates42.0411400, -87.6900600
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Start: South Century Boulevard (-88.155803, 40.308368)
End: (-87.689971, 42.041051)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 218 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.77 gal
18.07 L · about $17.99
Round trip
$35.98
9.54 gal · 36.14 L
Estimated CO2
42.4 kg one way
Round trip: 84.8 kg / 187 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.99 $35.98
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.29 $40.57
Premium $4.65 $22.20 $44.40
Diesel $5.30 $25.30 $50.60

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 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Rantoul and Evanston. The current time is 12:51:27.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.