Origin
Hollis, IL
Night in Hollis on Friday
Local time
10:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hollis, IL to Evanston, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 40m
Distance
184.5 mi
297 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 28m
★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 49m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 4m
8 PM
3h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hollis, IL
Evi
Evanston, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 184.5-mile drive from Hollis to Evanston, Illinois, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes. Primarily utilizing major interstates like I-55 and I-74 before transitioning to the Tri-State Tollway, this route is a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $29, it's an economical option for moving between these two Midwest locations. The journey is designed for efficiency, making it ideal for those looking to get from point A to point B without significant detours. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roads, so pack some good tunes and snacks for the ride.
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
92.3 miles from Hollis, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
About the Cities
Arriving in Evanston, IL
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 184.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience for 83% of this 184.5-mile journey. The route unfolds with a significant 113.6-mile stretch primarily on I-55, offering a consistent pace for a considerable portion of your drive. As you progress, you'll transition to I-74 and then the Tri-State Tollway, maintaining a high-speed environment for the majority of the trip. This isn't a route for leisurely sightseeing; it’s built for covering distance efficiently on major thoroughfares. The road character remains largely the same: fast-paced interstate driving conducive to making good time.
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 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 113.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 184.5 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: at 39.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
39.1 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
7
154.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
7
172.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward Touhy Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
8
173.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Touhy Avenue East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 42A
Toward Touhy Avenue East
7
184.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m in
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hollis, IL to Evanston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Touhy Avenue East along the way.
Touhy Avenue East
173.3 mi in
|
~3h 18m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 113.6 mi | 2h 6m |
| I 74 | 27 mi | 28m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 16.6 mi | 20m |
| I 474 | 7.5 mi | 8m |
| US 24 | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| Oakton Street | 4 mi | 7m |
| East Touhy Avenue | 3 mi | 5m |
| West Howard Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 113.6 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hollis, IL and Evanston, IL.
1
Start on US 24
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
US 24
2
Take the exit onto US 24
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
US 24
3
Merge onto I 474
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
I 474
4
Merge onto I 74
27 mi
·
28 min
·
I 74
5
Keep slight left at fork
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
6
Merge onto I 55; US 51
114 mi
·
2 hr 6 min
·
I 55; US 51
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
3 min
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Use the right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
9
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 42A
Toward Touhy Avenue East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
East Touhy Avenue
15
Turn left onto IL 43
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Harlem Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Howard Street
17
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
New Gross Point Road
18
Continue on Gross Point Road
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Gross Point Road
19
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Oakton Street
20
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto Dempster Street
213 ft
·
9 sec
·
Dempster Street
22
Turn uturn
213 ft
·
17 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 40-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip from Hollis to Evanston. Aim to depart in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach the Chicagoland area. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 113.6 miles, you can plan your breaks strategically. Consider a fuel stop before you embark or about halfway through to ensure you have enough gas. Since the route is primarily highway, keep an eye on your GPS for any unexpected traffic alerts as you near your destination. The $29 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always have a little extra buffer.
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 92.3 miles from Hollis, IL, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.6 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 41 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.3 miles or 1h 43m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Evanston, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hollis, 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 Hollis, IL
This is one driving day of about 184.5 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Hollis, 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 55 for about 113.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.3 mi from Hollis, IL · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92.3 miles from Hollis, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.6 miles.
Arriving in Evanston, IL
The final approach into Evanston, 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 Evanston, 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
$28.84 one way
$57.69 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.67 | $63.34 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.51 | $71.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.74 | $81.47 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.99
Tri-state Tollway
(16.6 mi)
$0.99
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
$29
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.4 | 0 | $19.37 | $8.86 |
| Efficient EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.14 | $7.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.8 | 0 | $25.83 | $11.81 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Evanston, IL
Night in Evanston on Friday
Local time
10:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°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
15 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 40m 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 Hollis, IL to Evanston, IL covers 184.5 miles and takes about 3h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 74, Tri-State Tollway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 92.3 miles from Hollis, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.84 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 19 significant decision points across 184.5 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: at 39.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Hollis, IL to Evanston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Touhy Avenue East along the way.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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