Trip from Evanston, IL to Guilford, IL

Drive Time

3h 28m

Distance

155.3 mi

250 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 17m ★

6 AM

3h 29m

8 AM

3h 53m

10 AM

3h 37m

12 PM

3h 35m

3 PM

3h 39m

5 PM

3h 52m

8 PM

3h 21m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Evanston, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

If you are looking to head west from Evanston, Illinois, this 155.3-mile journey to Guilford is a manageable day trip that typically takes about 3 hours and 28 minutes. You will spend roughly $24 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for a quick getaway within the Midwest. The route relies on a mix of thoroughfares, including the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, and South Elizabeth Scales Mound Road. Because the total drive time is under four hours, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. It is a straightforward excursion that transitions from the suburban landscapes near Evanston into the more localized, turn-heavy roads of the Illinois countryside.

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

77.6 miles from Evanston, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a dynamic transition behind the wheel as you shift from high-speed transit to technical local navigation. The route features a highway share of about 4%, with your longest uninterrupted stint covering 59.4 miles along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. Once you leave the tollway, the character of the drive changes significantly, evolving into a turn-heavy local experience. You will navigate the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway and South Elizabeth Scales Mound Road, which demand more focus than a standard interstate slog. Be prepared for a shift in pace, as the final legs of the journey require more frequent steering and gear adjustments compared to the initial highway portion.

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

There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 59.4 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 20 significant decision points across 155.3 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 20 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
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway	59.4 mi	1h 3m
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway	55.1 mi	1h 9m
South Elizabeth Scales Mound Road	8.1 mi	14m
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

Longest stretch: Jane Addams Memorial Tollway — 59.4 mi, about 1h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Evanston, IL and Guilford, 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

Turn right onto CR 4

8.1 mi · 14 min · South Elizabeth Scales Mound Road

Turn left onto West Rawlins Road

1.9 mi · 4 min · West Rawlins Road

Continue on West Guilford Road

0.4 mi · 56 sec · West Guilford Road

Arrive at destination

West Guilford Road

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though avoiding rush hour near Evanston is always a smart move. With only one recommended stop planned, you should prioritize efficient pacing to keep your total travel time near the 3-hour and 28-minute mark. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before transitioning off the main tollway, as services may become less frequent once you hit the local stretches. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor your navigation closely while transitioning onto South Elizabeth Scales Mound Road, as the turn-heavy nature of the final miles can be easy to miss if you aren't paying attention to the signage.

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 77.6 miles from Evanston, IL, or about 1h 35m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.4 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 77.6 miles or 1h 35m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 41m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Guilford, 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 155.3 miles and 3h 28m.

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 Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for about 59.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 77.6 mi from Evanston, IL · 1h 35m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

78 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 77.6 miles from Evanston, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Guilford, IL

The final approach into Guilford, 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 Guilford, 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

$23.59 one way

$47.18 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$26.00	$52.01
premium	$4.80	$29.32	$58.63
diesel	$5.64	$34.50	$69.00

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

$24

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	46.6	$16.31	$7.45
Efficient EV	38.8	$13.59	$6.21
EV Truck/SUV	62.1	$21.74	$9.94

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 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

Afternoon in Evanston on Sunday

Local time

4:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Guilford, IL

Afternoon in Guilford on Sunday

Local time

4:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°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

23 degrees warmer at arrival

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

Road read

3h 28m 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 Guilford, IL covers 155.3 miles and takes about 3h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

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

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 77.6 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 $23.59 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 Guilford, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Guilford, IL to Evanston, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

154.2 mi 3h 23m

Explore more options from Evanston, IL or browse trips ending in Guilford, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Evanston, IL or Guilford, IL on MapSof.net.

Trip from Evanston, IL to Guilford, 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 Guilford, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Evanston, IL

Guilford, IL

Same local time

23 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 28m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Guilford, IL

More from Evanston, IL

More trips to Guilford, IL