How far is Rome, IL from Evanston, IL?

The driving distance from Rome, IL to Evanston, IL is about 155.7 miles (250.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 123.3 miles (198.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 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.
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
155.73 mi
02h 53m
Flight
123.32 mi
198.47 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rome.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
123.32 mi
Kilometers
198.47 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
155.73 mi
Kilometers
250.63 km
Drive Time
02h 53m

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 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Evanston
Thu, Apr 23, 8:22 AM CDT
Return by in Rome
Thu, Apr 23, 11:16 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rome
2026-04-23T05:29
Arrive Evanston
Thu, Apr 23, 8:22 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:53 AM to 12:53 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:44 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rome
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
Nettle Creek
IL

Township in Grundy County, Illinois

From Rome
80.3 mi
01h 26m
To Evanston
75.4 mi
01h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 17 mph S
Destination
76°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North State Route 29

    1.3 mi · 1 min · North State Route 29

  2. 2

    Continue on South 4th Street

    9.1 mi · 11 min · South 4th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Railroad Street

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Railroad Street

  4. 4

    Continue on County Road 1400 East

    17.8 mi · 20 min · County Road 1400 East

  5. 5

    Merge slight right

    8.9 mi · 10 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Joliet

    2040 ft · 44 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    65 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago

    1892 ft · 54 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    26.6 mi · 33 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin

    1.6 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin

    1694 ft · 41 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue

    635 ft · 16 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue

    2694 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue East

    1749 ft · 43 sec

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

    3 mi · 6 min · East Touhy Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North Harlem Avenue

    2643 ft · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto West Howard Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto New Gross Point Road

    531 ft · 11 sec · New Gross Point Road

  21. 21

    Continue on Gross Point Road

    2627 ft · 55 sec · Gross Point Road

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Oakton Street

    4 mi · 8 min · Oakton Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Asbury Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Dempster Street

    65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street

  25. 25

    Turn uturn

    65 m · 18 sec

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Rome 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
26 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
4 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
65.4 mi · 42%
I 55 North
26.9 mi · 17%
County Road 1400 East
26.7 mi · 17%
Tri-State Tollway
16.6 mi · 11%
South 4th Street
9.1 mi · 6%
Oakton Street
3.96 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight left

65 mi · 01h 10m

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 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.4 mi
123.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Nettle Creek
01h 26m from Rome
Leave By
12:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Rome 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 Rome to Evanston?

The road trip is about 155.7 miles (250.6 km) and usually takes 02h 53m 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?

Nettle Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.3 miles from Rome and 75.4 miles from Evanston.

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

The direct path is about 123.3 miles (198.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.4 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 12:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.70 one way or $41.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Nettle Creek

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Nettle Creek, 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 Nettle Creek.

RAIL

Plano

25 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

Dwight station

41 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

43 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Mendota station

46 mi away
783 Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rome and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 123.32 mi (198.47 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Rome

Unincorporated census-designated place in Illinois, United States

Population1,596
Coordinates40.8830900, -89.5025900
Altitude142
CountryUnited States
Evanston

#2 Evanston

A city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population72,683
Coordinates42.0411400, -87.6900600
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Start: IL 29 North (-89.502652, 40.883106)
End: (-87.689971, 42.041051)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 251 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.49 gal
20.8 L · about $20.70
Round trip
$41.41
10.98 gal · 41.6 L
Estimated CO2
48.8 kg one way
Round trip: 97.6 kg / 215 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.70 $41.41
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.35 $46.70
Premium $4.65 $25.55 $51.10
Diesel $5.30 $29.12 $58.24

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

There is no time difference between Rome and Evanston. The current time is 05:29:46.

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.