How far is Waterloo, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Waterloo, IL to Evanston, IL is about 327.2 miles (526.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 287 miles (461.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 39m 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 05h 19m.
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.
Village in McLean County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterloo and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo and Evanston.
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1
Start on West Mill Street
79 m · 17 sec · West Mill Street
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2
Turn left onto North Market Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Market Street
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3
Turn right
9.5 mi · 11 min
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4
Keep slight right to continue on I 255 North, IL 3 North, US 50 East: East Saint Louis, Chicago, Great River Road Illinois North
18.2 mi · 22 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Indianapolis, Chicago
1.2 km · 2 min
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6
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 10 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
107.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
120.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue East
1749 ft · 43 sec
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17
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3 mi · 6 min · East Touhy Avenue
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18
Turn left onto North Harlem Avenue
2643 ft · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue
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19
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street
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20
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
531 ft · 11 sec · New Gross Point Road
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21
Continue on Gross Point Road
2627 ft · 55 sec · Gross Point Road
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22
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4 mi · 8 min · Oakton Street
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23
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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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 Waterloo and Evanston.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 55 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
121 mi · 02h 14m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waterloo 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 Waterloo to Evanston?
The road trip is about 327.2 miles (526.6 km) and usually takes 05h 19m 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?
McLean is a useful midpoint, sitting about 163.4 miles from Waterloo and 163.9 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 287 miles (461.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.2 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 6:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.56 one way or $87.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waterloo and Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near McLean
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Lincoln
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McLean.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Peoria, Illinois
Springfield station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 287.01 mi (461.9 km).
#1 Waterloo
City in Illinois
| Population | 10,536 |
| Coordinates | 38.3358900, -90.1498300 |
| 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: 527 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $43.56 | $87.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $49.12 | $98.24 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $53.75 | $107.51 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $61.26 | $122.52 |
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 · May 04, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.