How far is South Elgin, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from South Elgin, IL to Evanston, IL is about 40.6 miles (65.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31.1 miles (50 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 59m 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 59m.
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.
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
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 Elgin and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Elgin and Evanston.
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1
Start on South Center Street
12 m · 4 sec · South Center Street
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2
Turn right onto East State Street
608 ft · 14 sec · East State Street
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3
Turn right onto South Gilbert Street
104 m · 12 sec · South Gilbert Street
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4
Turn left onto East Middle Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · East Middle Street
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5
Continue on Bartlett Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · Bartlett Road
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6
Turn left onto South Sutton Road
2.6 mi · 5 min · South Sutton Road
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7
Continue on New Sutton Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · New Sutton Road
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 Toll East: Chicago
1849 ft · 45 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
13.2 mi · 14 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Elmhurst Road
2200 ft · 42 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Elmhurst Road North
88 m · 9 sec
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12
Turn straight onto South Elmhurst Road
1889 ft · 42 sec · South Elmhurst Road
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13
Turn right onto West Oakton Street
645 ft · 13 sec · West Oakton Street
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14
Continue on West Oakton Street
1.4 km · 2 min · West Oakton Street
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15
Continue on East Oakton Street
6.1 mi · 13 min · East Oakton Street
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16
Continue on Oakton Street
5.8 mi · 11 min · Oakton Street
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17
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi · 2 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 South Elgin 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.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
13.2 mi · 00h 14m
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 Elgin 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 Elgin to Evanston?
The road trip is about 40.6 miles (65.3 km) and usually takes 00h 59m 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?
Rolling Meadows is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.9 miles from South Elgin and 21.7 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.1 miles (50 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.5 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 4:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.39 one way or $10.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around South Elgin and Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Rolling Meadows
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 Rolling Meadows.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Naperville
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Elgin and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 31.08 mi (50.02 km).
#1 South Elgin
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 24,646 |
| Coordinates | 41.9941900, -88.2923000 |
| Altitude | 216 |
| 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: 65 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.39 | $10.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.08 | $12.16 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.66 | $13.31 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.58 | $15.17 |
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.