How far is Rockford, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Rockford, IL to Evanston, IL is about 85.9 miles (138.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 73.6 miles (118.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 13m 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 01h 36m.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rockford and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford and Evanston.
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1
Start on West State Street
3.4 mi · 6 min · West State Street
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2
Turn right onto South Alpine Road
1.5 km · 2 min · South Alpine Road
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3
Continue on South Alpine Road
109 m · 14 sec · South Alpine Road
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4
Turn right
26 m · 4 sec
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5
Turn right onto Charles Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · Charles Street
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6
Turn right onto South Mall Drive
118 m · 19 sec · South Mall Drive
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7
Turn left onto Harrison Avenue
3021 ft · 1 min · Harrison Avenue
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8
Take the ramp slight left
1207 ft · 30 sec
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9
Merge slight left
912 ft · 11 sec
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Chicago
2544 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
19.8 mi · 21 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
35.7 mi · 38 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Elmhurst Road
2200 ft · 42 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Elmhurst Road North
88 m · 9 sec
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15
Turn straight onto South Elmhurst Road
1889 ft · 42 sec · South Elmhurst Road
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16
Turn right onto West Oakton Street
645 ft · 13 sec · West Oakton Street
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17
Continue on West Oakton Street
1.4 km · 2 min · West Oakton Street
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18
Continue on East Oakton Street
6.1 mi · 13 min · East Oakton Street
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19
Continue on Oakton Street
5.8 mi · 11 min · Oakton Street
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20
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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21
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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22
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockford and Evanston.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
35.7 mi · 00h 38m
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.
Sunny leaving Rockford and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rockford to Evanston?
The road trip is about 85.9 miles (138.3 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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?
Gilberts is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.5 miles from Rockford and 46.5 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 73.6 miles (118.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.3 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 3:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.43 one way or $22.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rockford and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Gilberts
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 Gilberts.
Naperville
Glenview station
Plano
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rockford and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 73.64 mi (118.52 km).
#1 Rockford
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 144,835 |
| Coordinates | 42.2711300, -89.0940000 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| 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: 138 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.43 | $22.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.89 | $25.77 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.10 | $28.20 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.07 | $32.14 |
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.