The drive from Evanston, IL to Washburn, IL covers 146.2 miles and takes about 3h 7m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 39 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 47.2 miles on I 80.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.86 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
73.1 miles from Evanston, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Evanston is a city in the North Shore region of Illinois along the shores of Lake Michigan. Evanston has many identities: college town, dining destination, cultural center and gateway to the wealthy North Shore, although the city itself is anything but homogeneous in regards to economic status, culture and race.
Evanston is named after John Evans, one of the founders of Northwestern University, which ranks among the most prestigious universities in the United States.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 146.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 7m highway drive covering 146.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 47.2 miles on I 80.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 47.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Adlai Stevenson 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 Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 146.2 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 (Asbury Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 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.
6
27.6 mi into trip|~43m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
29.5 mi into trip|~45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
7
55.8 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Iowa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 250B
Toward I 80 West: Iowa
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 Washburn, IL, road signs point toward St. Louis, Bloomington and Wenona.
St. Louis
28.9 mi in|~44m
Bloomington
103.9 mi in|~2h 11m
Wenona
128 mi in|~2h 37m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
47.2 mi
50m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
25.9 mi
32m
I 39
23.6 mi
25m
Tri-State Tollway
17.5 mi
22m
700 North Road
9.1 mi
13m
Main Street
5.4 mi
9m
West Touhy Avenue
4 mi
7m
Oakton Street
4 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 47.2 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston, IL and Washburn, 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
1.0 mi·1 min·Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4.0 mi·7 min·Oakton Street
6
Turn slight left onto Gross Point Road
0.5 mi·52 sec·Gross Point Road
7
Turn straight onto New Gross Point Road
0.1 mi·14 sec·New Gross Point Road
8
Turn right onto Howard Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·Howard Street
9
Turn left onto North Lehigh Avenue
120 ft·2 sec·North Lehigh Avenue
10
Turn right onto West Gross Point Road
0.9 mi·1 min·West Gross Point Road
11
Turn slight right onto West Touhy Avenue
4.0 mi·7 min·West Touhy Avenue
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto South Des Plaines River Road
184 ft·3 sec·South Des Plaines River Road
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 294 South: Indiana
14
Merge onto I 294
11 mi·14 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 23Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 55
26 mi·32 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 250BToward I 80 West: IowaUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto I 80
47 mi·50 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 79AToward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomington
23
Merge onto I 39; US 51
24 mi·25 min·I 39; US 51
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward IL 17: Lacon, Wenona
25
Turn straight onto IL 17
9.1 mi·13 min·700 North Road
26
Turn left onto IL 89
3.0 mi·5 min·2160 E Rd
27
Continue on IL 89
5.4 mi·9 min·Main Street
28
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 89
0.4 mi·37 sec·North Jefferson Street
29
Arrive at destination
IL 89
Trip Plan
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 73.1 miles from Evanston, IL, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.2 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 32 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.1 miles or 1h 38m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washburn, 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 146.2 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 80 for about 47.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.1 mi from Evanston, IL
· 1h 38m into the drive
The midpoint is around 73.1 miles from Evanston, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Washburn, IL
The final approach into Washburn, 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 Washburn, IL.
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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 30.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.86 one way
$45.71 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.10
$50.19
premium
$4.89
$28.13
$56.27
diesel
$5.61
$32.28
$64.56
Estimated Tolls: $1.05
Tri-state Tollway
(17.5 mi)$1.05
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
$23
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.9
0
$15.35
$7.02
Efficient EV
36.6
0
$12.79
$5.85
EV Truck/SUV
58.5
0
$20.47
$9.36
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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 as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Evanston, IL
Evening
in Evanston on Friday
Local time
6:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Washburn, IL
Evening
in Washburn on Friday
Local time
6:40 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
6 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 7m 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 Washburn, IL covers 146.2 miles and takes about 3h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 39. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.1 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 $22.86 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 146.2 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.
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 27.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Evanston, IL and Washburn, IL, road signs point toward St. Louis, Bloomington and Wenona.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
