Origin
Evanston, IL
Morning in Evanston on Tuesday
Local time
11:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Evanston, IL to Metropolis, IL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
7h 7m
Distance
377.8 mi
608 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 56m
★
6 AM
7h 7m
8 AM
7h 30m
10 AM
7h 15m
12 PM
7h 13m
3 PM
7h 16m
5 PM
7h 29m
8 PM
7h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Evanston, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Metropolis, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Evanston, IL to Metropolis, IL covers 377.8 miles and takes about 7h 7m 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, I 24 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 $59.06 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
188.9 miles from Evanston, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 40m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 7h 7m highway drive covering 377.8 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 23 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.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 377.8 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 17 key pointsThese 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
374.3 mi into trip
|
~7h in
Take the exit toward US 45: Metropolis, Brookport, Rest Area, Welcome Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 37
Toward US 45: Metropolis, Brookport, Rest Area,...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 266.5 mi | 4h 51m |
| Ken Gray Expressway | 47.2 mi | 50m |
| I 24 | 35.6 mi | 38m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| North Western Avenue | 5.5 mi | 11m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| United States Route 45 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 266.5 mi, about 4h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston, IL and Metropolis, 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 Express
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
201 mi
·
3 hr 40 min
·
I 57
Exit 63
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
Use 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
47 mi
·
50 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
16
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 24 East: Nashville
17
Continue on I 24
36 mi
·
38 min
·
I 24
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 37
Toward US 45: Metropolis, Brookport, Rest Area, Welcome Center
19
Turn right onto US 45
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
United States Route 45
20
Turn right onto East 12th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East 12th Street
21
Turn left onto Ferry Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Ferry Street
22
Turn right onto West 5th Street
45 ft
·
1 sec
·
West 5th Street
23
Arrive at destination
West 5th Street
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 188.9 miles from Evanston, IL, or about 3h 40m 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 83 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 188.9 miles or 3h 40m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Metropolis, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Evanston, IL
This is one driving day of about 377.8 miles and 7h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Evanston, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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 188.9 mi from Evanston, IL · 3h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
189 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 188.9 miles from Evanston, 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 266.5 miles.
Arriving in Metropolis, IL
The final approach into Metropolis, 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 Metropolis, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.06 one way
$118.13 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
132 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $64.85 | $129.70 |
| premium | $4.89 | $72.70 | $145.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $83.41 | $166.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 132.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 113.3 | 1 | $39.67 | $18.13 |
| Efficient EV | 94.5 | 1 | $33.06 | $15.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 151.1 | 1 | $52.89 | $24.18 |
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Destination
Metropolis, IL
Morning in Metropolis on Tuesday
Local time
11:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
27 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
7h 7m 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 Metropolis, IL covers 377.8 miles and takes about 7h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, I 24. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 188.9 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 $59.06 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 2 meaningful breaks 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 17 significant decision points across 377.8 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.
The route from Evanston, IL to Metropolis, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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