How far is South Chicago, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from South Chicago, IL to Evanston, IL is about 24.7 miles (39.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.9 miles (35.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 49m 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 54m.
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 South Chicago and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Chicago and Evanston.
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1
Start on the route
66 m · 18 sec
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2
Turn right onto East 86th Street
51 m · 13 sec · East 86th Street
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3
Turn left onto South Muskegon Avenue
667 ft · 35 sec · South Muskegon Avenue
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4
Turn left onto East 87th Street
996 ft · 24 sec · East 87th Street
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5
Turn right onto South Commercial Avenue
1 km · 1 min · South Commercial Avenue
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6
Turn right onto East 92nd Street
1130 ft · 35 sec · East 92nd Street
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7
Take the ramp right toward I 90 West: Chicago Skyway
1513 ft · 37 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Chicago Skyway
1410 ft · 34 sec · Chicago Skyway
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9
Turn straight onto Chicago Skyway
724 ft · 18 sec · Chicago Skyway
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10
Merge slight left onto Chicago Skyway
4.1 mi · 6 min · Chicago Skyway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago Skyway
1987 ft · 31 sec · Chicago Skyway
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12
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.2 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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13
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
3.7 mi · 6 min · Kennedy Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue
875 ft · 24 sec
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15
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Damen Avenue
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16
Turn slight left onto North Clybourn Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue
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17
Turn right onto North Western Avenue
5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue
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18
Continue on Asbury Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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20
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Chicago 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)
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.23 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 South Chicago 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 South Chicago to Evanston?
The road trip is about 24.7 miles (39.7 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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 13 miles from South Chicago and 11.7 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.9 miles (35.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.8 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 4:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.28 one way or $6.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around South Chicago 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 South Chicago and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 21.97 mi (35.35 km).
#1 South Chicago
Former township in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 28,095 |
| Coordinates | 41.7397700, -87.5542500 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| 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: 40 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.28 | $6.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.70 | $7.40 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.05 | $8.10 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.61 | $9.23 |
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.