Momence, IL to Evanston, IL is 66.9 miles and takes about 1 hour 41 minutes via Calumet Expressway and Bishop Ford Freeway, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive primarily on expressways, making it a convenient option for a quick journey. Consider this route when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
33.4 miles from Momence, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 66.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 62% of the journey on major expressways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Calumet Expressway, Bishop Ford Freeway, and the Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 15.5 miles along the Calumet Expressway. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip, as the route is designed for efficient travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Calumet Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 15.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Calumet Expressway and Bishop Ford Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40.5 miles in near I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.9 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 40.5 miles (I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.6 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
40.5 mi into trip|~58m in|I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway toward I 94 West: Chicago Loop
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 West: Chicago Loop
8
46.6 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
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: Pershing Roa...
7
58.2 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward Damen Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 47B
Toward Damen Avenue
5
58.3 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|North Damen Avenue
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
66.8 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Calumet Expressway
15.5 mi
21m
Bishop Ford Freeway
10.7 mi
14m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi
11m
South Dixie Highway
6.2 mi
9m
North Dixie Highway
5.8 mi
8m
North Western Avenue
5.5 mi
11m
County Road East 1241 North
3.9 mi
5m
Kennedy Expressway
3.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Calumet Expressway
— 15.5 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Momence, IL and Evanston, IL.
1
Start on IL 1; IL 17
5.8 mi·8 min·North Dixie Highway
2
Continue on IL 1; IL 17
0.3 mi·40 sec·South Main Street
3
Turn right onto IL 1; IL 17
0.9 mi·1 min·East Taylor Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto IL 1
3.9 mi·5 min·County Road East 1241 North
5
Continue on IL 1
6.2 mi·9 min·South Dixie Highway
6
Continue on IL 1
15 mi·21 min·Calumet Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 94
7.9 mi·10 min·Bishop Ford Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
2.8 mi·3 min·Bishop Ford Freeway
Toward I 94 West: Chicago LoopUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
7.9 mi·11 min·Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 90; I 94
3.7 mi·5 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 47BToward Damen AvenueUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·North Damen Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Turn slight left onto North Clybourn Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·North Clybourn Avenue
15
Turn right onto North Western Avenue
5.5 mi·11 min·North Western Avenue
16
Continue on Asbury Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·Asbury Avenue
17
Turn right onto Dempster Street
213 ft·9 sec·Dempster Street
18
Turn uturn
213 ft·17 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 1 hour and 41 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning can help you avoid the heaviest commuter traffic. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan for a quick fuel and rest break if needed, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area, as the expressways can become congested.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 33.4 miles from Momence, IL, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.5 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 15 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.4 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 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 Momence, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Momence, IL
This is one driving day of about 66.9 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Momence, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Calumet Expressway for about 15.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.4 mi from Momence, IL
· 49m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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
$10.46 one way
$20.92 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$11.48
$22.97
premium
$4.89
$12.87
$25.75
diesel
$5.61
$14.77
$29.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.1
0
$7.02
$3.21
Efficient EV
16.7
0
$5.85
$2.68
EV Truck/SUV
26.8
0
$9.37
$4.28
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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
Momence, IL
Afternoon
in Momence on Friday
Local time
2:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Evanston, IL
Afternoon
in Evanston on Friday
Local time
2:21 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
17 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
1h 41m 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 Momence, IL to Evanston, IL covers 66.9 miles and takes about 1h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Calumet Expressway, Bishop Ford Freeway, Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.4 miles from Momence, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.46 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.9 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 40.5 miles (I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.6 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Momence, IL to Evanston, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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.
