How far is Wood River, IL from Evanston, IL?
The driving distance from Wood River, IL to Evanston, IL is about 294.7 miles (474.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 253.5 miles (408 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 48m 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 04h 54m.
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.
The second most populous city in McLean County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wood River and Evanston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wood River and Evanston.
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1
Start on East Ferguson Avenue
50 m · 13 sec · East Ferguson Avenue
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2
Turn left onto South Wood River Avenue
100 m · 16 sec · South Wood River Avenue
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Madison Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Madison Avenue
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4
Turn left onto South Central Avenue
1334 ft · 29 sec · South Central Avenue
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5
Continue on Vaughn Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · Vaughn Road
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6
Continue on South Bellwood Drive
1 km · 1 min · South Bellwood Drive
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7
Continue on North Bellwood Drive
1.4 km · 2 min · North Bellwood Drive
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8
Turn right onto West Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi · 4 min · West Bethalto Drive
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9
Continue on State Route 140
9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140
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10
Continue on West State Street
1.3 km · 2 min · West State Street
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11
Continue on State Route 140
135 m · 14 sec · State Route 140
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12
Take the ramp left
1515 ft · 38 sec
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13
Merge slight left
96.7 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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15
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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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue East
1749 ft · 43 sec
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23
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3 mi · 6 min · East Touhy Avenue
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24
Turn left onto North Harlem Avenue
2643 ft · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue
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25
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street
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26
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
531 ft · 11 sec · New Gross Point Road
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27
Continue on Gross Point Road
2627 ft · 55 sec · Gross Point Road
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28
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4 mi · 8 min · Oakton Street
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29
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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30
Turn right onto Dempster Street
65 m · 9 sec · Dempster Street
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31
Turn uturn
65 m · 18 sec
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wood River 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
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 leaving Wood River and Rain Showers near Evanston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wood River to Evanston?
The road trip is about 294.7 miles (474.2 km) and usually takes 04h 54m 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?
Bloomington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147.1 miles from Wood River and 147.5 miles from Evanston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 253.5 miles (408 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.2 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 7:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.22 one way or $78.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Wood River and Rain Showers near Evanston.
Stop Ideas Near Bloomington
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bloomington.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Pontiac station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wood River and Evanston. Straight-line distance: 253.54 mi (408.04 km).
#1 Wood River
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 10,002 |
| Coordinates | 38.8611600, -90.0976100 |
| Altitude | 133 |
| 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: 474 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.22 | $78.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.23 | $88.46 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.40 | $96.80 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.16 | $110.32 |
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.