How far is South Pekin, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from South Pekin, IL to Evanston, IL is about 182.2 miles (293.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 147.6 miles (237.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 16m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Pekin and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Pekin and Evanston.
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1
Start on East Main Street
1 km · 2 min · East Main Street
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2
Turn right
5.5 mi · 10 min
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3
Turn slight right onto IL 29
51 m · 6 sec
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4
Turn slight right onto Margaret Street
1266 ft · 27 sec · Margaret Street
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5
Turn left onto North 5th Street
2478 ft · 42 sec · North 5th Street
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6
Continue on North 8th Street
3002 ft · 51 sec · North 8th Street
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7
Continue on Radio City Drive
3.5 mi · 5 min · Radio City Drive
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8
Take the ramp slight right
2974 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
4.8 mi · 5 min
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10
Merge slight left
27 mi · 29 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
1.4 mi · 3 min
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12
Merge slight left
123.2 mi · 2 hr 20 min
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13
Continue on Stevenson Expressway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Stevenson Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
912 ft · 24 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Damen Avenue
1372 ft · 34 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
134 m · 13 sec
-
17
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
2.4 mi · 5 min · South Damen Avenue
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18
Turn right onto West Ogden Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · West Ogden Avenue
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19
Turn left onto South Ashland Avenue
4.1 mi · 8 min · South Ashland Avenue
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20
Turn slight left onto North Lincoln Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · North Lincoln Avenue
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21
Turn left onto West Leland Avenue
119 m · 11 sec · West Leland Avenue
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22
Turn right onto North Western Avenue
3.6 mi · 7 min · North Western Avenue
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23
Continue on Asbury Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue
-
24
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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25
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Pekin and Evanston.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 55 North
Merge slight left
123 mi · 02h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving South Pekin and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Evanston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Pekin to Evanston?
The road trip is about 182.2 miles (293.3 km) and usually takes 03h 16m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Odell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.3 miles from South Pekin and 88.9 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 147.6 miles (237.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.25 one way or $48.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around South Pekin and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Odell
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 Odell.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Gilman
Kankakee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Pekin and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 147.64 mi (237.6 km).
#1 South Pekin
Village in Illinois, USA
| Population | 1,081 |
| Coordinates | 40.4944800, -89.6517700 |
| Altitude | 157 |
| 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: 293 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.25 | $48.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.35 | $54.69 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.93 | $59.85 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.10 | $68.21 |
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 · Jun 10, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.