Trip from Evanston, IL to East Dubuque, IL

Drive Time

3h 47m

Distance

172.2 mi

277 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 35m ★

6 AM

3h 48m

8 AM

4h 13m

10 AM

3h 57m

12 PM

3h 54m

3 PM

3h 58m

5 PM

4h 12m

8 PM

3h 40m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Evanston, IL

Stéphane Tendon

East Dubuque, IL

Choco Kitty

Trip Overview

If you are looking to head west from Evanston to East Dubuque, you are in for a 172.2-mile journey across the Illinois landscape. Clocking in at approximately 3 hours and 47 minutes, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion. You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, including the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, South Galena Avenue, and the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. Budgeting about $26 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Since both the origin and destination are firmly rooted in the Midwest, you can expect a familiar regional atmosphere throughout the drive. It is a straightforward route that offers enough variety to keep the journey engaging without requiring an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

86.1 miles from Evanston, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip presents a turn-heavy, local-focused driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate haul. While you will spend some time on major roads, only 4% of your journey consists of highway driving, meaning you should prepare for more attentive navigation through local corridors. You will tackle a significant 80-mile stretch on the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your trip. As you transition from the suburban feel of Evanston toward the driftless area near East Dubuque, the road character shifts from high-speed transit to more technical driving. Expect to stay alert at the wheel as the route demands consistent focus on the road ahead.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

U.S. Grant Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 80 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 172.2 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: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles (Dempster Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Asbury Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in

At end of road, turn left

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Dempster Street

At end of road, turn left onto Dempster Street

Navigation decision point

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Asbury Avenue

Turn left onto Asbury Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

5.7 mi into trip | ~11m in | Howard Street

Turn right onto Howard Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

11.1 mi into trip | ~21m in | Devon Avenue

Turn right onto Devon Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / none lanes.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway	80 mi	1h 43m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway	59.4 mi	1h 3m
South Galena Avenue	7.3 mi	13m
Oakton Street	4 mi	7m
US 20 Business	3.6 mi	5m
West Touhy Avenue	3.3 mi	6m
I 39	2.6 mi	2m
East North Avenue	2.1 mi	3m

Longest stretch: U.S. Grant Memorial Highway — 80 mi, about 1h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Evanston, IL and East Dubuque, IL.

Start on this road

197 ft · 21 sec · this road

At end of road, turn left

139 ft · 15 sec

At end of road, turn left onto Dempster Street

213 ft · 14 sec · Dempster Street

Turn left onto Asbury Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · Asbury Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Oakton Street

4.0 mi · 7 min · Oakton Street

Use the none lane.

Turn slight left onto Gross Point Road

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Gross Point Road

Use the none lane.

Turn straight onto New Gross Point Road

0.1 mi · 14 sec · New Gross Point Road

Turn right onto Howard Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Howard Street

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto North Lehigh Avenue

120 ft · 2 sec · North Lehigh Avenue

Turn right onto West Gross Point Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Gross Point Road

Use the none lane.

Turn slight right onto West Touhy Avenue

3.3 mi · 6 min · West Touhy Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto South Dee Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Dee Road

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Devon Avenue

0.9 mi · 1 min · Devon Avenue

Use the left / none lanes.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward I 90 West Toll Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 90

59 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington

Merge onto I 39; US 51

0.5 mi · 30 sec · I 39; US 51

Continue on I 39; US 20; US 51

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 39; US 20; US 51

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20

30 mi · 34 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

Take the exit onto US 20 Business

3.6 mi · 5 min · US 20 Business

Toward US 20 BUS: Freeport

Turn slight right onto US 20 Business

7.3 mi · 13 min · South Galena Avenue

Turn left onto US 20

14 mi · 19 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

Continue on US 20; IL 78

2.1 mi · 3 min · East North Avenue

Continue on US 20

6.4 mi · 8 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

Continue on US 20

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Woodbine Street

Continue on US 20

4.6 mi · 6 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

Continue on US 20

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Main Street

Turn straight onto US 20

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Diagonal Street

Continue on US 20

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Madison Street

Continue on US 20

13 mi · 17 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

Continue on US 20; IL 84

0.7 mi · 1 min · Decatur Street

Continue on US 20; IL 84

0.6 mi · 1 min · Spring Street

Continue on US 20; IL 84

12 mi · 15 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

Continue on US 20

0.8 mi · 1 min · Sinsinawa Avenue

Turn left onto Wall Street

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Wall Street

Turn right onto 3rd Street

171 ft · 8 sec · 3rd Street

Turn left onto Sinsinawa Avenue

29 ft · 1 sec · Sinsinawa Avenue

Arrive at destination

Sinsinawa Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 3-hour and 47-minute drive, aim to depart early in the morning to beat local traffic congestion. Since you only have one planned stop along the way, use that break strategically to stretch your legs and refresh your focus before tackling the more technical sections of the route. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, where services may be spaced further apart. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected road conditions or local traffic. My best advice for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between the major roads, as the navigation becomes more involved once you leave the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 86.1 miles from Evanston, IL, or about 1h 45m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80 miles.

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 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 86.1 miles or 1h 45m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 2m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Dubuque, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Evanston, 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 Evanston, IL

This is one driving day of about 172.2 miles and 3h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Evanston, IL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway for about 80 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 86.1 mi from Evanston, IL · 1h 45m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

86 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86.1 miles from Evanston, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before U.S. Grant Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80 miles.

Arriving in East Dubuque, IL

The final approach into East Dubuque, 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 East Dubuque, IL.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.16 one way

$52.31 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$28.83	$57.67
premium	$4.80	$32.51	$65.02
diesel	$5.64	$38.26	$76.51

Estimated Tolls: $4.16

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (59.4 mi) $4.16

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	51.7	$18.08	$8.27
Efficient EV	43.1	$15.07	$6.89
EV Truck/SUV	68.9	$24.11	$11.02

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Evanston, IL

Evening in Evanston on Sunday

Local time

6:41 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

East Dubuque, IL

Evening in East Dubuque on Sunday

Local time

6:41 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

1 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 47m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Evanston, IL to East Dubuque, IL covers 172.2 miles and takes about 3h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, South Galena Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 86.1 miles from Evanston, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.16 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The route from Evanston, IL to East Dubuque, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

East Dubuque, IL to Evanston, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

171.3 mi 3h 43m

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Trip from Evanston, IL to East Dubuque, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in East Dubuque, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Evanston, IL

East Dubuque, IL

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 47m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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