How far is Willowbrook, IL from Evanston, IL?

The driving distance from Willowbrook, IL to Evanston, IL is about 51 miles (82.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 41.1 miles (66.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
51.01 mi
01h 21m
Flight
41.07 mi
66.1 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Willowbrook.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
41.07 mi
Kilometers
66.1 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
51.01 mi
Kilometers
82.09 km
Drive Time
01h 21m

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 01h 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Evanston
Sun, Apr 19, 4:45 AM CDT
Return by in Willowbrook
Sun, Apr 19, 6:06 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Willowbrook
2026-04-19T03:23
Arrive Evanston
Sun, Apr 19, 4:45 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:21 AM to 11:21 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:48 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Willowbrook
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Calumet
IL

City in Illinois

From Willowbrook
24.7 mi
00h 40m
To Evanston
26.3 mi
00h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW
Destination
51°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Willowbrook and Evanston.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Willowbrook and Evanston.

  1. 1

    Start on Longwood Drive

    100 m · 19 sec · Longwood Drive

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Buried Oak Drive

    1415 ft · 1 min · Buried Oak Drive

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Challas Drive

    1665 ft · 1 min · Challas Drive

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto South State Line Road

    1.3 mi · 3 min · South State Line Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto East Exchange Street

    2.9 mi · 4 min · East Exchange Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Calumet Expressway

    10.3 mi · 14 min · Calumet Expressway

  7. 7

    Continue on Bishop Ford Freeway

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Bishop Ford Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Bishop Ford Freeway

  9. 9

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  11. 11

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    3.7 mi · 6 min · Kennedy Expressway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue

    875 ft · 24 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Damen Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · North Damen Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn slight left onto North Clybourn Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North Western Avenue

    5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on Asbury Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Asbury Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Dempster Street

    65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street

  18. 18

    Turn uturn

    65 m · 18 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Willowbrook and Evanston.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
37.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Bishop Ford Freeway
10.7 mi · 21%
Calumet Expressway
10.3 mi · 20%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 15%
North Western Avenue
5.53 mi · 11%
Kennedy Expressway
3.69 mi · 7%
Dan Ryan Expressway
3.33 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

Calumet Expressway

Turn right onto Calumet Expressway

10.3 mi · 00h 14m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 21m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.9 mi
41.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Calumet
00h 40m from Willowbrook
Leave By
3:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Willowbrook 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 Willowbrook to Evanston?

The road trip is about 51 miles (82.1 km) and usually takes 01h 21m 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?

Calumet is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.7 miles from Willowbrook and 26.3 miles from Evanston.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 41.1 miles (66.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.9 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 3:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.79 one way or $13.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny around Willowbrook and Mostly Sunny near Evanston.

Stop Ideas Near Calumet

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Calumet, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Calumet.

RAIL

Hammond–Whiting station

6 mi away
1135 South Calumet Ave.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

18 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

Homewood

21 mi away
18015 Park Ave.
BUS

Gary, IN

23 mi away
100 West 4th Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Willowbrook and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 41.07 mi (66.1 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Willowbrook

Town in Will County, Illinois, United States

Population2,076
Coordinates41.4578100, -87.5364300
Altitude218
CountryUnited States
Evanston

#2 Evanston

A city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population72,683
Coordinates42.0411400, -87.6900600
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Start: Longwood Drive (-87.536118, 41.455944)
End: (-87.689971, 42.041051)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 82 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.8 gal
6.81 L · about $6.79
Round trip
$13.58
3.6 gal · 13.62 L
Estimated CO2
16 kg one way
Round trip: 32 kg / 71 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.79 $13.58
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.66 $15.31
Premium $4.65 $8.38 $16.75
Diesel $5.30 $9.55 $19.09

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

There is no time difference between Willowbrook and Evanston. The current time is 03:23:52.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.