Drive Time
6h 34m
Distance
342.1 mi
551 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
Photo: Stéphane Tendon
The drive from Crestwood, IL to Evanston, IL covers 342.1 miles and takes about 6h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 195.2 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $51.96 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
171 miles from Crestwood, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 13m into the drive .
This is a 6h 34m highway drive covering 342.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 195.2 miles on I 57.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 123.3 miles in near I 57.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 342.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 123.3 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 321.8 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 333.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Damen Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Dempster Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 195.2 mi | 3h 34m |
| Ken Gray Expressway | 117.9 mi | 2h 7m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 7.9 mi | 11m |
| North Western Avenue | 5.5 mi | 11m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Power Plant Road | 2.7 mi | 6m |
| Asbury Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Crestwood, IL and Evanston, IL.
Start on Pinewood Drive
Turn right onto Ridgeway
Turn left onto McKinney Chapel Road
Continue on McKinney Chapel Road
Turn right onto Power Plant Road
At end of road, turn left onto Lake Egypt Road
Turn left onto IL 37
At end of road, turn right onto IL 148
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 57
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
Continue on I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
Continue on I 90; I 94
Take the exit
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
Turn slight left onto North Clybourn Avenue
Turn right onto North Western Avenue
Continue on Asbury Avenue
Turn right onto Dempster Street
Turn uturn
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171 miles or 3h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Evanston, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Crestwood, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Crestwood, IL
This is one driving day of about 342.1 miles and 6h 34m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 171 mi from Crestwood, IL · 3h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
171 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 171 miles from Crestwood, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 195.2 miles.
The final approach into Evanston, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Evanston, IL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$51.96 one way
$103.92 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $57.28 | $114.56 |
| premium | $4.80 | $64.58 | $129.16 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $76.00 | $152.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.6 | 1 | $35.92 | $16.42 |
| Efficient EV | 85.5 | 0 | $29.93 | $13.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 136.8 | 1 | $47.89 | $21.89 |
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Crestwood on Saturday
Local time
5:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Evanston on Saturday
Local time
5:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
54°F
Champaign, IL
171 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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