How far is Riverdale, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Riverdale, IL to Evanston, IL is about 34.1 miles (54.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 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.
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 00h 55m.
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.
The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Riverdale and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverdale and Evanston.
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1
Start on West 144th Street
1.3 km · 2 min · West 144th Street
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2
Turn left onto South Indiana Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · South Indiana Avenue
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 130th Street
102 m · 7 sec · East 130th Street
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4
Continue on South Indiana Avenue
1552 ft · 32 sec · South Indiana Avenue
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5
Turn left onto East 127th Street
635 ft · 16 sec · East 127th Street
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6
Turn right onto South Michigan Avenue
3.5 mi · 7 min · South Michigan Avenue
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7
Turn left onto South Wabash Avenue
52 m · 5 sec · South Wabash Avenue
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8
Take the ramp slight left toward I 94 West
1515 ft · 37 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Bishop Ford Freeway
824 ft · 13 sec · Bishop Ford Freeway
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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 Riverdale 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.
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 00h 11m
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 Riverdale 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 Riverdale to Evanston?
The road trip is about 34.1 miles (54.8 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?
Chicago is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.3 miles from Riverdale and 18.7 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.8 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 4:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.53 one way or $9.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Riverdale and Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near 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 Chicago.
Chicago Union Station
Summit
La Grange Road
Hammond–Whiting station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverdale and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 28.33 mi (45.59 km).
#1 Riverdale
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 12,912 |
| Coordinates | 41.6333700, -87.6331000 |
| Altitude | 183 |
| 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: 55 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.53 | $9.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.10 | $10.21 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.58 | $11.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.36 | $12.73 |
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.