How far is Wauconda, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Wauconda, IL to Evanston, IL is about 35.3 miles (56.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 27.5 miles (44.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 40m 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 50m.
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 Illinois, United States of America
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 Wauconda and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wauconda and Evanston.
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1
Start on East Liberty Street
3.3 mi · 6 min · East Liberty Street
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2
Turn right
1517 ft · 27 sec
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3
Turn right onto North Gilmer Road
1617 ft · 34 sec · North Gilmer Road
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4
Turn left onto West Hawley Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · West Hawley Street
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5
Turn right onto West Townline Road
3.1 mi · 6 min · West Townline Road
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6
Continue straight
3.9 mi · 6 min
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7
Continue on Olde Half Day Road
2338 ft · 51 sec · Olde Half Day Road
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8
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Half Day Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · West Half Day Road
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9
Take the ramp right toward I 94 East Toll: Indiana
2176 ft · 53 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Edens Spur
4.8 mi · 5 min · Edens Spur
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12
Continue on Edens Expressway
5.6 mi · 7 min · Edens Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Old Orchard Road
1796 ft · 46 sec
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14
Turn left onto Old Orchard Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · Old Orchard Road
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15
Turn left onto Gross Point Road
1027 ft · 23 sec · Gross Point Road
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16
Turn right onto Central Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Central Street
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17
Turn right onto Green Bay Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Green Bay Road
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18
Turn right onto Asbury Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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19
Turn left 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 Wauconda 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.
Edens Expressway
Continue on Edens Expressway
5.56 mi · 00h 07m
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 Wauconda 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 Wauconda to Evanston?
The road trip is about 35.3 miles (56.8 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?
Riverwoods is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17 miles from Wauconda and 18.3 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 27.5 miles (44.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.8 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 4:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.68 one way or $9.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Wauconda and Mostly Sunny near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Riverwoods
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 Riverwoods.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wauconda and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 27.5 mi (44.25 km).
#1 Wauconda
Village in Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 13,432 |
| Coordinates | 42.2589100, -88.1392500 |
| Altitude | 245 |
| 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: 57 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.68 | $9.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.27 | $10.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.77 | $11.54 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.58 | $13.15 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.