The drive from Evanston, IL to Makanda, IL covers 353 miles and takes about 6h 50m 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, IL-13 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 266.5 miles on I 57.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $55.19 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
176.5 miles from Evanston, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 26m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 50m. Total distance: 353 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 50m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 50m highway drive covering 353 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 266.5 miles on I 57.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 266.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 early in the drive.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 353 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 (Asbury Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in
At end of road, turn left
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Asbury Avenue
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
14.8 mi into trip|~26m in|I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
8
23.7 mi into trip|~38m in|I 57
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 63
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
6
327.9 mi into trip|~6h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Evanston, IL and Makanda, IL, road signs point toward Marion and Carbondale.
Marion
327.6 mi in|~6h 10m
Carbondale
327.6 mi in|~6h 10m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
266.5 mi
4h 51m
Ken Gray Expressway
37.4 mi
40m
IL-13
11.1 mi
17m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi
11m
South Illinois Avenue
7.8 mi
9m
North Western Avenue
5.5 mi
11m
Kennedy Expressway
3.6 mi
5m
West Deyoung Street
3.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 266.5 mi, about 4h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston, IL and Makanda, IL.
1
Start on this road
197 ft·21 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left
139 ft·15 sec
3
At end of road, turn left onto Dempster Street
213 ft·14 sec·Dempster Street
4
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on North Western Avenue
5.5 mi·11 min·North Western Avenue
6
Turn left onto North Clybourn Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·North Clybourn Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·North Damen Avenue
8
Turn left onto West Webster Avenue
139 ft·2 sec·West Webster Avenue
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East
10
Merge onto I 90; I 94
3.6 mi·5 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 90; I 94
2.4 mi·2 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
8.8 mi·11 min·Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 ExpressUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
201 mi·3 hr 40 min·I 57
Exit 63Toward I 57 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
37 mi·40 min·Ken Gray Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
19
Merge onto IL 13
3.4 mi·4 min·West Deyoung Street
20
Continue on IL 13
11 mi·17 min·IL-13
21
Turn left onto US 51
0.5 mi·35 sec·South University Avenue
22
Continue on US 51
7.8 mi·9 min·South Illinois Avenue
23
Turn left onto Makanda Road
1.0 mi·3 min·Makanda Road
24
Keep slight right at fork onto Makanda Road
0.8 mi·3 min·Makanda Road
25
Keep slight right at fork onto Baptist Hill Road
75 ft·3 sec·Baptist Hill Road
26
Arrive at destination
Baptist Hill Road
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 176.5 miles from Evanston, IL, or about 3h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 266.5 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 78 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.5 miles or 3h 26m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Makanda, 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 353 miles and 6h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 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 I 57 for about 266.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 176.5 mi from Evanston, IL
· 3h 26m into the drive
The midpoint is around 176.5 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 I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 266.5 miles.
Arriving in Makanda, IL
The final approach into Makanda, 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 Makanda, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.19 one way
$110.38 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$60.59
$121.19
premium
$4.89
$67.93
$135.86
diesel
$5.61
$77.94
$155.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.9
1
$37.07
$16.94
Efficient EV
88.3
1
$30.89
$14.12
EV Truck/SUV
141.2
1
$49.42
$22.59
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Evanston, IL
Afternoon
in Evanston on Thursday
Local time
4:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 10 to 15 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:33PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 16 at 12:29PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Makanda, IL
Afternoon
in Makanda on Thursday
Local time
4:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
13 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
6h 50m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Makanda, IL covers 353 miles and takes about 6h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, IL-13. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 176.5 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 $55.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 353 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles (Asbury Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Evanston, IL and Makanda, IL, road signs point toward Marion and Carbondale.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
