Trip from Leland Grove, IL to Evanston, IL

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

4h 19m

Distance

214.2 mi

345 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 6m ★

6 AM

4h 19m

8 AM

4h 46m

10 AM

4h 29m

12 PM

4h 26m

3 PM

4h 30m

5 PM

4h 44m

8 PM

4h 11m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Leland Grove, IL

fish socks

suburban city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Evanston, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 214.2-mile drive from Leland Grove to Evanston, Illinois, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 19 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with the Tri-State Tollway being a key part of the journey. Given the efficiency of this route, it's a straightforward trip without the need for an overnight stop. Budget around $33 for fuel, and anticipate a relatively smooth ride through the Midwest. This drive focuses on covering distance effectively, making it ideal for those who prioritize getting to their destination efficiently.

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

107.1 miles from Leland Grove, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for this trip, with 82% of the drive taking place on interstates and tollways. The majority of your travel will be on I 55, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 150.2 miles. This route is primarily about covering ground, so while it offers efficiency, it leans towards a more straightforward driving profile. You'll primarily be navigating well-maintained highways designed for consistent speed and direct travel between your origin and destination.

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 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 150.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 55 Business. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.7 miles in near I 55.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 214.2 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: at 33.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

33.7 mi into trip | ~45m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North: Chicago

63.1 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

183.9 mi into trip | ~3h 31m 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

202.3 mi into trip | ~3h 56m 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

203 mi into trip | ~3h 57m 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

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Leland Grove, IL and Evanston, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Touhy Avenue East.

Peoria

63.1 mi in | ~1h 16m | via I 55

Touhy Avenue East

203 mi in | ~3h 57m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	150.2 mi	2h 45m
I 55 Business	21.4 mi	23m
Tri-State Tollway	16.6 mi	20m
North Peoria Road	5.3 mi	8m
Oakton Street	4 mi	7m
Veterans Parkway	3.2 mi	4m
East Touhy Avenue	3 mi	5m
West Howard Street	1.7 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 150.2 mi, about 2h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Leland Grove, IL and Evanston, IL.

Start on Cherry Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Cherry Road

Turn right onto Chatham Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · Chatham Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on North Bruns Lane

1.6 mi · 3 min · North Bruns Lane

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Merge onto IL 4

3.2 mi · 4 min · Veterans Parkway

Use the right lane.

Continue on I 55 Business

5.3 mi · 8 min · North Peoria Road

Use the left lane.

Take the exit onto I 55 Business

21 mi · 23 min · I 55 Business

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

121 mi · 2 hr 14 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.6 mi · 3 min

Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin

Merge onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

12 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Exit 42A Toward Touhy Avenue East Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

3.0 mi · 5 min · East Touhy Avenue

Turn left onto IL 43

0.5 mi · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto West Howard Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street

Turn left onto New Gross Point Road

0.1 mi · 10 sec · New Gross Point Road

Continue on Gross Point Road

0.5 mi · 54 sec · Gross Point Road

Turn right onto Oakton Street

4.0 mi · 7 min · Oakton Street

Turn left onto Asbury Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · Asbury Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Dempster Street

213 ft · 9 sec · Dempster Street

Turn uturn

213 ft · 17 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 4-hour, 19-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to bypass potential traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a clear exit point is 150.2 miles on I 55. Planning your single stop around the halfway mark or slightly further will help break up the journey comfortably. Given the highway-centric nature, ensure your vehicle is in good condition for sustained travel.

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 107.1 miles from Leland Grove, IL, or about 2h 5m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.2 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 47 miles or 59m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 107.1 miles or 2h 5m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 22m

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 Leland Grove, 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 Leland Grove, IL

This is one driving day of about 214.2 miles and 4h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Leland Grove, 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 150.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 107.1 mi from Leland Grove, IL · 2h 5m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

107 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

Bloomington, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

El Paso, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 107.1 miles from Leland Grove, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 150.2 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

$33.49 one way

$66.98 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$36.77	$73.54
premium	$4.89	$41.22	$82.44
diesel	$5.61	$47.29	$94.59

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

$33

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	64.3	0	$22.49	$10.28
Efficient EV	53.6	0	$18.74	$8.57
EV Truck/SUV	85.7	1	$29.99	$13.71

Gas CO2

75 kg

EV CO2

25 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 15, 2026

Origin

Leland Grove, IL

Evening in Leland Grove on Wednesday

Local time

5:32 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Evanston, IL

Evening in Evanston on Wednesday

Local time

5:32 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°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

4 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

4h 19m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Leland Grove, IL to Evanston, IL covers 214.2 miles and takes about 4h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 55, I 55 Business, 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 107.1 miles from Leland Grove, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.49 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Leland Grove, IL and Evanston, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Touhy Avenue East.

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Trip from Leland Grove, IL to Evanston, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Evanston, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Leland Grove, IL

Evanston, IL

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 19m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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